Section Review: Cardiovascular & Renal: Novel antiplatelet agents: The glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors

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Abstract
Platelets have been shown to play a significant role in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes and the complications associated with percutaneous coronary intervention (abrupt closure and long-term restenosis). Recent efforts to inhibit platelets more fully have led to the discovery of a new class of platelet antagonists, the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors. These agents block the final common pathway for platelet aggregation and are, therefore, more potent than aspirin. Animal data and small clinical trials suggest that these platelet inhibitors may be beneficial in a variety of cardiovascular disease states; large, Phase III trials evaluating these agents in myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty are in progress. This review will focus on the biology of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, its inhibitors developed to date, and the clinical trials (completed and in progress) in this area.