Inhibition of Platelet-Dependent Prothrombinase Activity and Thrombin Generation by Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor-Directed Antagonists: Potential Contributing Mechanism of Benefit in Acute Coronary Syndromes

The glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists used widely in the medical treatment of acute coronary syndromes and during percutaneous coronary interventions, prevent fibrinogen cross-linking and platelet aggregation, critical initiating steps in arterial thrombosis. Their anticoagulant properties, particularly when administered conjunctively with heparin preparations, are less well-characterized. In a series of in vitro studies, …