Therapeutic dissolution of an intracoronary thrombus by prolonged intravenous platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonism

This case report describes the therapeutic dissolution of an intracoronary thrombus in a patient with ectatic coronary arteries post-myocardial infarction by prolonged intravenous glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonist administration. The report emphasizes the potential thrombotic complications in patients with ectatic coronary arteries and the beneficial use of GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists as direct thrombolytic agents even in partially organized thrombus formation. In addition to the well-documented effects of GP IIb/IIIa blockade in the scenario of percutaneous interventions, unstable angina, and non-Q wave infarction, the use of this new class of drugs in acute myocardial infarction seems to be promising and might also be considered in the setting of persistent thrombotic material within the coronary vasculature.