European heart journal
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European heart journal · Sep 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSafety and efficacy of eptifibatide vs placebo in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction; a phase II dose escalation, randomized, double-blind study.
Thrombolytic therapy restores coronary patency in patients with acute myocardial infarction, although normal perfusion (TIMI 3 flow) is not achieved in all patients. In an attempt to improve TIMI 3 flow, a combination of full-dose streptokinase, aspirin and escalating dosages of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker, eptifibatide, vs placebo were tested. ⋯ A combination of full dose streptokinase with different eptifibatide regimens enhanced coronary perfusion, but bleeding risk was excessive. Additional trials are needed with different dosage regimens to determine the optimal combination of fibrinolytic agents and platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers.
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European heart journal · Sep 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialReactivation of coagulation after stopping infusions of recombinant hirudin and unfractionated heparin in unstable angina and myocardial infarction without ST elevation: results of a randomized trial. OASIS Pilot Study Investigators. Organization to Assess Strategies for Ischemic++ Syndromes.
To compare effects of heparin and hirudin on biochemical markers of coagulation. ⋯ The greater reduction of thrombin antithrombin III and D-dimer during the hirudin infusion supports the hypothesis that hirudin is a more potent antithrombin agent than heparin. Increased D-dimer levels after stopping heparin or hirudin suggest that there is an ongoing pro-coagulant state. These results point to the greater efficacy of hirudin in preventing early clinical events (death, myocardial infarction and refractory ischaemia) compared with heparin that have been observed in large randomized trials. Persistent activation of coagulation afterstopping infusions in our study suggests that a longer course of antithrombotic treatment may be needed to pacify the thrombus.