Abciximab During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Blockade of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor as a therapy for ischemic heart disease was introduced into clinical practice by demonstration that the first of these agents, abciximab, reduces periprocedural complications among patients undergoing high-risk coronary angioplasty. From this initial “proof of concept, ” subsequent clinical evaluation of this agent progressed through a series of large-scale trials, establishing the broad applicability, marked clinical efficacy, and acceptable safety profile of this therapeutic strategy in the setting of percutaneous coronary revascularization. This chapter reviews the clinical experience with this agent as a pharmacologic adjunct to elective or urgent coronary intervention.