DISTINCT YET COMPLEMENTARY ROLES OF IIB/IIIA INHIBITORS AND HEPARIN DURING PLATELET ACTIVATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESTENOSIS FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTIONS (PCI).

This article focuses on a study that explores distinct yet complementary roles of IIb/IIIa inhibitors and heparin during platelet activation with implications for restenosis following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Unfractionated heparin produces significantly greater inhibition of platelet activation and smooth muscle proliferation than LMWH, at least in vitro, thus cautioning against the adoption of LMWH as the standard during PCI before clinical trials are completed. Results of the study are also discussed in the article.