Jack E. Smith

Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Platelet Integrin Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Blocker Integrelin in Elective Coronary Intervention

Background Platelet aggregation and thrombosis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary angioplasty complications. Integrelin, a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide with high affinity and marked specificity for platelet integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, effectively blocks ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Methods and Results In 150 patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention, random assignment was made to one of three treatment regimens: placebo; a 90-μg/kg bolus of Integrelin before angioplasty followed by a 1.0-μg · kg−1 · min−1 infusion of Integrelin for 4 hours; or a 90-μg/kg bolus followed by a 1.0-μg · kg−1 · min−1 infusion of Integrelin for 12 hours. Patients were followed to 30 days for the composite occurrence of myocardial infarction, stent implantation, repeat urgent or emergency percutaneous intervention or coronary bypass surgery, or death. Pharmacodynamic data were obtained in a subset of 31 patients. Administration of a 90-μg/kg bolus of Integrelin achieved an 86% in...

Combining thrombolysis with the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor lamifiban: Results of the platelet aggregation receptor antagonist dose investigation and reperfusion gain in myocardial infarction (PARADIGM) trial

OBJECTIVES The trial was designed to assess the safety, pharmacodynamics and effects on reperfusion of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor lamifiban when given with thrombolysis to patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND Studies of fibrinolytic agents in acute myocardial infarction have demonstrated a direct relationship between early complete reperfusion and survival. Blockade of the platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor complex inhibits platelet aggregation and may speed reperfusion when given in conjunction with thrombolysis to patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS Patients with ST segment elevation presenting within 12 h of symptom onset who were treated with either tissue-plasminogen activator or streptokinase were enrolled in this three-part Phase II dose exploration study. In Part A, all patients received the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor lamifiban in an open-label, dose escalation scheme. Parts B and C were a randomized, double-blind comparison of a bolus plus 24-h infusion of lamifiban versus placebo with patients randomized in a 2:1 ratio. The goal was to identify a dose(s) of lamifiban that provided >85% adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation inhibition. A composite of angiographic, continuous electrocardiographic and clinical markers of reperfusion was the primary efficacy end point, and bleeding was the primary safety end point. RESULTS Platelet aggregation was inhibited by lamifiban in a dose-dependent manner with the highest doses exceeding 85% ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibition. There was more bleeding associated with lamifiban (transfusions in 16.1% lamifiban-treated vs. 10.3% placebo-treated patients). Lamifiban induced more rapid reperfusion as measured by all continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters. CONCLUSIONS Lamifiban given with thrombolytic therapy appears to be associated with more rapid and complete reperfusion than placebo. As expected in this small sample, there were no obvious clinical benefits to lamifiban over placebo. Reconciliation of ECG monitoring with clinical outcomes will require a larger, adequately powered clinical trial.

A randomized trial of intravenous heparin in conjunction with anistreplase (anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex) in acute myocardial infarction : the Duke university clinical cardiology study (DUCCS) 1

OBJECTIVES We designed a randomized trial to evaluate the effects of heparin administration in conjunction with anistreplase (anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex [APSAC]) on arterial patency and clinical end points. BACKGROUND The role of conjunctive intravenous heparin therapy with APSAC has not been tested despite the recommendations that intravenous heparin should be used. METHODS Four hours after APSAC administration, 250 patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomly assigned to receive 325 mg of either aspirin alone or aspirin and a continuous infusion of heparin (15 IU/kg body weight per h). Clinical ischemic events and bleeding complications were monitored. On hospital day 5, coronary arteriography and left ventriculography were performed. RESULTS The primary end point of the trial (the combined outcome of death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and occlusion of the infarct-related artery) occurred in 42% of the heparin-treated group versus 43% of the group treated without heparin (p = 0.94). A patent infarct-related artery was present in 80% of the patients treated with heparin and in 73% of those treated without heparin (p = 0.26). Left ventricular function, as measured by ejection fraction, was well preserved in both groups (52% vs. 50.5%, respectively, p = 0.29). The overall bleeding rate was higher in patients with (32%) than without (17.2%) heparin (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Weight-adjusted intravenous heparin therapy after APSAC in acute myocardial infarction does not reduce the combined incidence of death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and occlusion of the infarct-related artery. Furthermore, withholding intravenous heparin therapy is associated with a 46% reduction in bleeding complications. Our findings do not support the addition of intravenous heparin after APSAC therapy, as currently recommended, and suggest that a strategy of withholding heparin is simpler and safer and does not place the patient at increased risk for ischemic complications after myocardial infarction.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in octogenarians as an effective therapy for angina pectoris

There are limited data regarding percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients aged >80 years, a rapidly expanding population that has a 20% prevalence of symptomatic coronary artery disease.1–3 Two studies have reported relatively low success rates, high procedural morbidity and mortality, and no data on restenosis,4,5 whereas a third reported a higher success rate, but had limited angiographic follow-up—only in symptomatic patients.6 We therefore undertook a study to assess the early and long-term outcome of octogenarian patients treated with PTCA.

Selective infusion of thrombolytic therapy in the acute myocardial infarct-related coronary artery as an alternative to rescue percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

The management of patients with acute myocardial infarction in whom reperfusion has been unsuccessful with standard dose thrombolytic therapy remains controversial.1 Rescue percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been associated with a high reocclusion rate after failed intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) with accompanying high morbidity and mortality.2 It has been postulated that PTCA in the setting of thrombolytic therapy may induce subintimal hemorrhage, which may lead to reocclusion.3 As an alternative method for restoring coronary patency after failed intravenous TPA, we describe the results of selective intracoronary injection of a longer acting thrombolytic agent, without adjunctive PTCA, using an infusion catheter that provides a mechanical jet effect to disrupt the coronary thrombus. Use of this coronary thrombolytic technique was successful in each patient after failed intravenous TPA.