TCTMD -- Approximately 30% of patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) do not receive the standard antithrombotic regimen of heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI). Due to their high baseline bleeding risk, such patients instead receive heparin or bivalirudin alone, according to a paper published in the June 2010 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. This practice appears to reduce rates of in-hospital major bleeding.
