Researchers have concluded that'the preferred agent for coronary stenting is abciximab',after the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist came out on top in the TARGET*study, which compared abciximab and tirofiban in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). This is discouraging news for Merck, who sponsored the study which was designed to evaluate whether tirofiban ['Aggrastat'] could be used as an alternative to abciximab ['ReoPro']. On a more positive note for tirofiban, patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) receiving the drug had improved outcomes if treated with an early invasive strategy, rather than a conservative one, in the TACTICS**-TIMI 18 trial. The 2 studies were reported at the 73rd Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) [New Orleans, US; November 2000].