Angioplasty and stenting in the presence of a thrombus using adjuvant abciximab (ReoPro)

Intracoronary thrombus has been associated with higher rates of ischaemic complications following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We used platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa integrin antagonist, abciximab (ReoPro), to treat 13 patients undergoing PTCA with angiographically detected thrombus. None of the patients developed new ischaemic complications. Two (15.4%) patients developed groin complications. Abciximab is an important new adjuvant therapy for PTCA and stenting associated with a thrombus.