Objective: To evaluate the safety of intracoronary (IC) abciximab during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Background: Adjunctive treatment with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, especially abciximab, during PCI has been shown to improve clinical and procedural outcomes in numerous studies. However, significant bleeding complications exist with its use and this has limited its standard use. Interest has grown in local (IC) use with studies showing safety and long-term effectiveness, especially in patients with high thrombus loads.
Methods: A retrospective review of records in a database of patients who had PCI by a single operator at the Easton Hospital.
Results: 611 patients received IC abciximab, and there were no complications in 610 (98.3%) patients; only 1 had an allergic reaction.
Conclusions: IC abciximab is safe and has a unique role in the catheterization lab and in patients at high risk of bleeding complications who would benefit from its limited use.