UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Cardiology

Title: G2b3a receptor antagonists

Keywords: glycoprotein receptor antagonists, unstable angina, ischemic heart disease, percutaneous coronary intervention (PubMed Search)

Posted: 1/18/2009 by Amal Mattu, MD (Updated: 10/10/2024)
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The use of a glycoprotein 2b/3a receptor antagonist (often inaccurately referred to as a "G2b3a inhibitor") is considered a Class I intervention for patients with unstable angina/non-STE-MI that are going for percutaneous coronary intervention, according to the ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines.

The exact timing of the initiation of the G2b3aRA is the subject of some debate, but it is certainly worth discussing with your cardiologist consultant/receiving physician whether they want one of these medications initiated in the ED before taking the patient to the cath. lab, and if so which one of these meds they prefer.

References

King S, Smith S, Hirschfeld JW, et al. 2007 Focused Update of the ACC/AHA/SCAI 2005 Guideline Update for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;51:172-209.