Intravenous administration of monoclonal antibody to the platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor to treat abrupt closure during coronary angioplasty

Abstract Abrupt closure during coronary angioplasty is an infrequent but serious event. It occurs in approximately 3 to 6% of elective angioplasty cases, but has occurred in up to 20 to 40% of patients who undergo angioplasty for unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction. 1 Abrupt closure is usually due to disruption of plaque material, intimal and medial dissections, and thrombosis. Because initiation of the thrombus needs adhesion and aggregation of platelets, agents that interfere with platelet function logically are useful in this setting, and aspirin has been shown to reduce the incidence of abrupt closure. 2 We describe the use of a newer antiplatelet agent for adjunctive treatment of abrupt closure complicating a coronary angioplasty procedure.