The platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist abciximab [‘ReoPro’] has well established efficacy for preventing complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Therefore, the debate as to whether abciximab should be the standard of care in this indication focuses mainly on economic factors. At the 4th annual meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research [Arlington, Virginia, US; May 1999], the cost effectiveness of abciximab was demonstrated in a US meta-analysis. In addition, several studies examined abciximab use in various ‘real-world’ settings, revealing practice patterns and clinical and economic outcomes in patients undergoing coronary interventions.