Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: only for well defined subgroups or a therapeutic option for all patients?

Antiplatelet treatment of acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation consists of aspirin and clopidogrel. Intravenous, but not oral glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists on top of this may be used in high-risk individuals, especially when they undergo early angioplasty, but these recommendations are derived from post-hoc analyses. They should be confirmed in future randomized trials in high risk patients. So far, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists should not be used as a routine in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation.