To assess the implications of coronary stenting with several IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, total hospital cost and adverse events were reviewed for 674 elective stent procedures from June 1998 through December 1998. The use of IIb/IIIa receptor antagonism and the agent selected were at the discretion of the interventional cardiologist. In-hospital, 30-day and 6-month adverse cardiac events were similar among the treatment strategies. Target vessel revascularization at six months was similar among the treatment strategies. Patients who received a IIb/IIIa receptor blocker with their stent procedure were less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis identified specific factors responsible for prolongation of hospital stay including adverse cardiac events, physician practice pattern and age greater than 70 years (all p < 0.002). Overall hospital cost for patients receiving tirofiban as an adjunct to coronary stenting was approximately $1,000 less than patients receiving abciximab. Total cath lab expenditures were similar for these groups and the savings in hospital cost was directly attributable to a lower pharmacy cost in the tirofiban group. Multivariate regression analysis identified adverse cardiac events, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, multiple stent placement, physician practice and abciximab as significant contributors to increased hospital cost (all p < 0.002). Tirofiban as an adjunct to coronary stenting was not identified by multivariate analysis as a significant contributor to hospital cost. Bleeding rates were similar among the treatment strategies. Thus, coronary stenting in our community hospital is associated with acceptable outcomes regardless of treatment strategy and hospital cost is significantly influenced by the use of IIb/IIIa blockade with stenting and the type of agent selected.