Guidance on the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes

This recommendation no longer stands.

This recommendation has been updated and replaced by recommendation 1.1.5 in the NICE guideline on acute coronary syndromes.

This recommendation has been updated and replaced by recommendation 1.1.5 in the NICE guideline on acute coronary syndromes.

This recommendation has been updated and replaced by recommendations 1.2.7 and 1.2.8 in the NICE guideline on acute coronary syndromes.

This recommendation no longer stands.

This recommendation no longer stands.

It is recommended that a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor is considered as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for all patients with diabetes undergoing elective PCI, and for those patients undergoing complex procedures (for example, multi-vessel PCI, insertion of multiple stents, vein graft PCI or PCI for bifurcation lesions); currently only abciximab is licensed as an adjunct to PCI. In procedurally uncomplicated, elective PCI, where the risk of adverse sequelae is low, use of a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor is not recommended unless unexpected immediate complications occur.

GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are not currently licensed in the UK for use as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).