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Acute coronary syndrome

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Therapy

For patients with severe refractory unstable angina, consider adding a glycoprotein IIb/ IIIa inhibitor. a  

Why?

  • Patients with unstable angina refractory to heparin and nitrates who receive a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor are less likely to die, have a myocardial infarction or require urgent revascularisation in the next 24 hours. a

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors reduce mortality and further ischaemia in refractory angina

Patient Treatment Comparison Outcome CER RRR
(95% CI)		 NNT
(95% CI)
refractory unstable angina a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor placebo death, MI, urgent revascularisation
at 24 hours 		23% 86%
(-9% to 98%) 		5
(3 to 28)

 

Expiry date: June 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   CM   Ball , N   Shenker
Reviewer   I K   Jang
CAT Writers   N   Shenker , CJ   Wotton , CM   Ball , RS   Phillips