Lotrafiban: an oral platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blocker

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Abstract
Platelets play a major role in thrombus formation, as well as in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. Inhibition of platelet function is now emphasised more than ever for prevention and treatment of almost all vascular diseases, since thrombosis is established as the key pathogenic event causing acute ischaemic coronary and cerebrovascular syndromes. Although acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) has been shown to reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke, its effect is weak and more effective antithrombotic agents are required to manage patients at high-risk for recurrent vascular events. Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor (GPIIb/IIIa) blockade represents a significant advance in interventional cardiology and treatment of acute ischaemic syndromes. The past several years have seen the introduction of many platelet GPIIb/IIIa blockers into the clinical arena targeting the unique platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor for the adhesive proteins, fibrinogen and von Willebrand Factor. Platelet GPIIb/IIIa ...