The role of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa-receptor antagonists in diabetics.

GP IIb/IIIa-receptor-inhibitors have been shown to be effective antithrombotic agents as adjunct therapy in patients with unstable angina/non ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but also in stable and unstable patients who undergo percutaneous coronary interventions. It has been emphasized by several investigators that diabetics belong to a high-risk patient group in which a special benefit from the use of GP IIb/IIIa-inhibitors might be expected. Among these agents, most consistent data in diabetic patients are presently available for abciximab. In general, GP IIb/IIIa-antagonists have been shown to be effective in diabetics by retrospective subgroup analyzes and meta-analyzes. Prospective trials with well prespecified patient groups are missing and would be mandatory to bring more light into a still developing field.