Platelet Aggregation Effect of Tirofiban Compared with Abciximab among Patients on Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: A Systematic Review

Platelet aggregation plays a vital role in atherothrombosis and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) complications. In this systematic review, tirofiban and abciximab, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, were compared for efficacy and safety in PCI, based on five randomized trials and 539 participants, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Both drugs were effective and tolerable in most cases. Tirofiban had a reduced risk of thrombocytopenia and comparable rates of bleeding to abciximab. Intracoronary tirofiban has potential over intravenous administration, particularly in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, with better 30-day outcomes and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow, without an increased risk of bleeding. The choice of treatment should be based on the individual patient. Future clinical benefits should be substantiated by larger trials to provide guidance for best practices.