A 58-year-old man undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention receives an intravenous glycoprotein antagonist as adjunct to aspirin and heparin. Which agent blocks the GPIIb/IIIa receptor and prevents fibrinogen-mediated platelet aggregation?
- A Eptifibatide ✓
- B Cilostazol
- C Prasugrel
- D Vorapaxar
Correct answer: A. Eptifibatide
Explanation
Eptifibatide is a cyclic peptide mimicking the RGD sequence of fibrinogen and competitively blocks GPIIb/IIIa, the final common pathway of platelet aggregation. Abciximab and tirofiban are the other two agents of this class. Cilostazol inhibits phosphodiesterase 3, vorapaxar blocks the protease-activated receptor 1, and prasugrel is an oral thienopyridine acting on P2Y12, none of which touch GPIIb/IIIa.
Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.