Background: Large randomized clinical trials have demonstrated differences in the efficacy and safety of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors, but little has been published regarding comparisons of these agents in a "real-world" setting.
Purpose: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in a large population of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during a 5-year period.
Methods: Patients undergoing PCI from 2000 through 2004 were eligible for inclusion if they received any single GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Patients with significant comorbidities were included. Patients were excluded if they received more than one GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor or underwent catheterization without PCI. Target activated clotting time was 200-250 seconds.
Results: Of 5,055 patients undergoing PCI, 4,321 (85%) received a single GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (abciximab, 1,178; eptifibatide, 1,698; tirofiban, 1,445). Major bleeding complications were rare, ranging from 1.9-3.1%, and transfusion rates were low, ranging from 0.8-2.1%, with no significant differences among the agents evaluated. No significant differences in 1-year mortality, myocardial infarction, urgent target vessel revascularization or composite endpoint rates were identified among the therapeutic agents.
Conclusions: In this large study of PCI patients, GP IIb/IIIa inhibition was associated with a low incidence of major bleeding complications and requirement of transfusion. With appropriate management, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use can benefit patients undergoing PCI, with minimal risk of bleeding complications.