Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors


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Overview
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, also GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors, are a class of antiplatelet agents.

Several GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors exist:
 * Abciximab (ReoPro&reg;)
 * Eptifibatide (Integrilin&reg;)
 * Tirofiban (Aggrastat&reg;)

Indications
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are frequently used during percutaneous coronary interventions (angioplasty with or without intracoronary stent placement).

They work by preventing platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. They do so by inhibition of the GpIIb/IIIa receptor on the surface of the platelets. By blocking the GPIIbIIIa receptor, they block the ability of platelets to cross link via fibrinogen.

The agents in this class are administered intravenously. Oral forms of these agents were associated with increased mortality, possibly due to underdosing of the agents.

History
Their development arose from the understanding of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, a condition in which the GpIIb/IIIa is lacking.

Additional Resources

 * The MD TV: Comments on Hot Topics, State of the Art Presentations in Cardiovascular Medicine, Expert Reviews on Cardiovascular Research
 * Clinical Trial Results: An up to dated resource of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors related clinical trials