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Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonists

Current Concepts and Future Directions

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Abstract

Platelets play a key role in the development of thrombosis. Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists are a new class of potent drugs that profoundly inhibit platelet function by blocking the key receptor involved in platelet aggregation.

Several antiplatelet agents with varying characteristics have emerged in the past few years and have been evaluated in a variety of potential clinical settings. Clinical trials have established the effectiveness of these drugs in conditions where thrombosis plays a major contributing role such as unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and high-risk coronary intervention. Despite their potent antiplatelet effects, GP IIb/IIIa antagonists appear to be remarkably well tolerated, provided that the concomitant use of other anticoagulants such as heparin is managed carefully. Ongoing and future studies will further refine the role of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, explore new applications, and further test their safety and cost effectiveness in the short and long term.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Research, St. Luke’s, Episcopal Hospital, MC 1-191, 6720 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA

    James J. Ferguson & Munir Zaqqa

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  1. James J. Ferguson
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  2. Munir Zaqqa
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Correspondence to James J. Ferguson.

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Ferguson, J.J., Zaqqa, M. Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonists. Drugs 58, 965–982 (1999). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199958060-00002

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