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The present study assessed the impact of early administration of abciximab in female and male patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) transferred for primary angioplasty (PPCI). Data were gathered for 1,650 consecutive patients with STEMI transferred for PPCI from hospital networks in seven countries in Europe from November 2005 to January 2007 (the EUROTRANSFER Registry population). Among 1,086 patients who received abciximab, there were 186 women and 541 men who received abciximab early (>30 min before PPCI), and 86 women and 273 men treated with late abciximab. Female patients were high-risk individuals, with advanced age and increased rate of ischemic events. Early abciximab administration was associated with enhanced patency of the infarct-related artery before PPCI, and improved epicardial flow after PPCI in both women and men. Early abciximab in women led to the decrease in ischemic events, including 30 day (adjusted OR 0.26, 95 % CI 0.10-0.69, p = 0.007) and 1 year (adjusted OR 0.37, 95 % CI 0.16-0.84, p = 0.017) mortality reduction. In contrast, the reduction in 30 day (adjusted OR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.35-1.39, p = 0.27) and 1 year (adjusted OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.38-1.22, p = 0.19) mortality was not significant in men. The frequency of bleeding events was similar in the early abciximab group compared to the late abciximab group in both women and men. Early administration of abciximab improved patency of the infarct-related artery before and after PPCI, and led to improved survival in female patients with STEMI.

Background: Diabetes is an important determinant of prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Limited data are available concerning benefits and risks of upstream abciximab administration in diabetic patients. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess the impact of early abciximab administration before primary angioplasty (PCI) for STEMI in diabetic patients., Methods: Data were gathered for 1650 consecutive STEMI patients transferred for primary PCI from hospital networks in seven countries in Europe from November 2005 to January 2007 (the EUROTRANSFER Registry population). Patients were stratified by diabetes mellitus presence and then by abciximab administration strategy (early - more than 30 min before PCI vs. late)., Results: Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 262 (15.9%) patients. Patients with diabetes mellitus were high-risk individuals, with advanced age, higher prevalence of comorbidities and increased risk of ischemic events during follow-up in comparison to non-diabetic patients. A total of 1086 patients who received abciximab were identified. Strategy of early abciximab administration was associated with enhanced infarct-related artery patency before PCI, and improved epicardial flow after PCI in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Importantly, early abciximab in diabetic patients led to the decrease in ischemic events, including 30-day (OR 0.260, 95% CI 0.089-0.759, p = 0.012) and 1-year (OR 0.273, 95% CI 0.099-0.749, p = 0.012) mortality reduction. However, only a trend toward improved survival was confirmed after adjustment for potential confounders. On the contrary, the reduction of 30-day (OR 0.620, 95% CI 0.334-1.189, p = 0.16) and 1-year (OR 0.643, 95% CI 0.379-1.089, p = 0.10) mortality rates was not significant among non-diabetic patients., Conclusions: Early administration of abciximab improves infarct-related artery patency before and after primary PCI, and leads to improved survival in diabetic STEMI patients., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We present a case of a 43 year-old male with a diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome related to in-stent thrombosis successfully treated with intralesion administration of abciximab via a local drug delivery catheter and thrombectomy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Spontaneous early infarct related artery (IRA) recanalisation before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has a favourable impact on outcome. However, the role played by pharmacotherapy driven patency prior to pPCI is still a matter of debate., Aim: To assess the role of early IRA patency (TIMI flow 2 or 3) after early abciximab administration in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) transferred for pPCI., Methods: Data was gathered for 1,650 consecutive STEMI patients transferred for pPCI from hospital networks in seven countries in Europe between November 2005 and January 2007. We identified 691 patients who were pretreated with abciximab before transportation to a cathlab hospital and underwent PCI., Results: Angiography showed early IRA patency (TIMI flow 2 or 3) in 233 (33.7%) patients, and occluded IRA (TIMI flow 0 or 1) in 458 (66.3%) patients. In patients with patent IRA, in baseline angiography the rate of TIMI 3 flow and ECG ST-segment resolution 〉 50% after PCI was higher compared to patients with occluded IRA. One year mortality was significantly lower in patients with patent IRA, 1.3% vs 7% (OR 0.17; CI 0.05-0.6; p = 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, IRA patency at baseline was identified as an independent predictor of one-year mortality., Conclusions: Infarct related artery recanalisation after early pharmacological pretreatment in STEMI patients undergoing transportation for pPCI is associated with better post-procedural myocardial perfusion and lower one-year mortality.

Background: Even although time to treatment has been shown to be a determinant of mortality in primary angioplasty, the potential benefits are still unclear from early pharmacological reperfusion by glycoprotein (Gp) IIb-IIIa inhibitors. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to combine individual data from all randomized trials conducted on upstream as compared with late peri-procedural abciximab administration in primary angioplasty., Methods: The literature was scanned using formal searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) from January 1990 to December 2010. All randomized trials on upstream abciximab administration in primary angioplasty were examined. No language restrictions were enforced., Results: We included a total of seven randomized trials enrolling 722 patients, who were randomized to early (n = 357, 49.4%) or late (n = 365, 50.6%) peri-procedural abciximab administration. No difference in baseline characteristics was observed between the two groups. Follow-up data were collected at a median (25th-75th percentiles) of 1095 days (720-1967). Early abciximab was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (primary endpoint) [20% vs. 24.6%; hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65 (0.42-0.98) P = 0.02, P(het) = 0.6]. Furthermore, early abciximab administration was associated with a significant improvement in pre-procedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow (21.6% vs. 10.1%, P < 0.0001), post-procedural TIMI 3 flow (90% vs. 84.8%, P = 0.04), an improvement in myocardial perfusion as evaluated by post-procedural myocardial blush grade (MBG) 3 (52.0% vs. 43.2%, P = 0.03) and ST-segment resolution (58.4% vs. 43.5%, P < 0.0001) and significantly less distal embolization (10.1% vs. 16.2%, P = 0.02). No difference was observed in terms of major bleeding complications between early and late abciximab administration (3.3% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.4)., Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that early upstream administration of abciximab in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with significant benefits in terms of pre-procedural epicardial re-canalization and ST-segment resolution, which translates in to significant mortality benefits at long-term follow-up., (© 2011 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.)

Early rapid platelet inhibition with abciximab before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is suggested as beneficial. In previous studies on early abciximab administration clopidogrel was administered in cathlab in low loading dose. We investigated the role of early abciximab administration on top of early clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose in patients with STEMI treated with PPCI. A total of 73 non-shock STEMI < 6 h patients admitted to remote hospitals with anticipated delay to PPCI < 90 min were randomly assigned to three study groups--24 pts received abciximab before transfer to cathlab (early = group EA), 27 in cathlab during PPCI (late = group LA) and in 22 abciximab administration was left to operator's discretion during PPCI (selective = SA; given in 22.7% of patients). All patients received clopidogrel (600 mg), aspirin and heparin (70 U/kg) before transfer to cathlab. Angiography revealed more frequent infarct-related artery patency (TIMI 2 + 3: EA vs LA vs SA: 45.8 vs 18.5 vs 13.6%, P = 0.024), better myocardial tissue perfusion (MBG 2 + 3: EA vs LA vs SA: 45.8 vs 14.8 vs 13.6%, P = 0.02) in EA group in baseline angiography. There was no difference in these angiographic parameters and ECG ST-segment resolution after PPCI. In multivariate analysis early abciximab administration was an independent predictor of infarct-related artery patency in baseline angiography (OR 6.5; 95% CI 1.83-23.1; P = 0.004). Early abciximab administration before transfer for PPCI in patients with STEMI pretreated with 600 mg of clopidogrel results in more frequent infarct-related artery patency and better myocardial tissue perfusion before PPCI.

Background: Limited data are available concerning benefits and risks of early abciximab (EA) administration before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in elderly ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of EA before PPCI in elderly (>or=65 years) patients., Methods and Results: We identified 545 patients <65 years (354 with EA administration (>30 min before PPCI), 191 late abciximab (LA)), and 541 patients >or=65 years of age (373 EA, 168 LA) in the EUROTRANSFER Registry database. Elderly patients were more likely to have comorbidities, angiographic PCI complications, and bleeding events. EA promotes infarct-related artery patency before PPCI and improves myocardial reperfusion after PPCI in both age groups, but the risk of 30-day death (EA vs. LA: <65 years, 2.0% vs. 1.6%; p=0.999; >or=65 years, 5.9% vs. 14.3%; p=0.001) and 30-day death+reinfarction (EA vs. LA: <65 years, 2.5% vs. 2.1%; p=0.999; >or=65 years, 7.5% vs. 17.3%; p=0.001) was reduced in elderly patients only. There was no difference in bleedings, especially major bleedings requiring transfusion (EA vs. LA: patients <65 years, 2.3% vs. 0%, p=0.055; >or=65 years, 2.4% vs. 3%; p=0.448) between groups., Conclusions: Patients >or=65 years of age have a substantially increased risk of angiographic PCI complications, death and bleeding events compared with their younger counterparts. Strategy of EA before PPCI improves reperfusion parameters and clinical outcome in elderly patients and is not associated with elevated risk of major bleeding., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the safety and efficacy of transradial approach, predictors of bleeding complications, and choice of radial access site in a real-life setting using a contemporary European registry of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Background: There is an increasing amount of data suggesting that transradial approach is associated with less bleeding at access site and other vascular complications when compared with procedures carried out through the femoral artery., Methods: Consecutive data on STEMI patients transferred for primary PCI in hospital STEMI networks between November 2005 and January 2007 from seven countries in Europe were gathered. Patients were divided into the following two groups: radial approach - with radial access site for primary PCI, and transfemoral approach (FEM) - with femoral access site., Results: Data from a total of 1650 patients were collected in the EUROTRANSFER Registry. Abciximab was administered in 1086 patients (66%), 169 patients were assigned to radial approach group, whereas 917 to FEM group. Puncture site hematomas were more frequent in the FEM group (1.2 vs. 9.4%, P<0.001). Major bleedings requiring blood transfusion occurred similarly in both the studied groups. Independent predictors of bleeding (puncture site hematoma and major bleeding requiring transfusion) included female sex, lower weight, chronic renal failure, past stroke, and femoral access site (odds ratio=3.54)., Conclusion: The choice of radial access site in patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI is associated with lower local bleeding complications like puncture site hematomas and is an independent predictor of fewer bleedings.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred method of reperfusion in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Abciximab is a well established adjunct to primary PCI. The proper timing of abciximab administration in STEMI patients has been investigated in randomised trials, registries and metanalysis, providing conflicting results., Methods: Consecutive data on STEMI patients, transferred for primary PCI in hospital/ambulance STEMI networks between November 2005 and January 2007, from 15 PCI centres in seven European countries was gathered together for a one-year long-term clinical observation (93% rate of completeness)., Results: Data from 1,650 patients was collected in the EUROTRANSFER Registry. Abciximab was administered to 1,086 patients (66%), 727 patients received early (at least 30 minutes prior to first balloon inflation) abciximab (EA), and another 359 patients received late abciximab (LA). One year mortality was 5.8% in the EA group vs 10.3% with LA (p = 0.007). Adjustment for propensity score methods for EA administration did not change the results, still providing a favourable outcome for the EA group (p = 0.004). It was also revealed that only a minority of patients (36%) were treated within the 90-minute recommended time window from first medical contact to PCI (and 60% for the 120-min time delay)., Conclusions: Patients transferred for primary PCI in STEMI hospital networks showed lower rates of death in long-term one-year clinical follow-up when treatment with abciximab was started early.

Background: There are conflicting data on the clinical benefit from early administration of abciximab from a large randomized trial and a registry. However, both sources suggest that a benefit may depend on the baseline risk profile of the patients. We evaluated the role of early abciximab administration in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention stratified by the STEMI Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score., Methods: A total of 1,650 patients were enrolled into the EUROTRANSFER Registry. One thousand eighty-six patients received abciximab (66%). Abciximab was administered early in 727 patients (EA) and late in 359 patients (LA). We used the TIMI risk score for risk stratification. Patients with scores >or=3 constituted the high-risk group of 616 patients (56.7%), whereas 470 patients formed the low-risk cohort. Factoring in the timing of the abciximab administration resulted in 4 groups of patients who were compared for mortality at 1 year: EA/high-risk (n = 413); LA/high-risk (n = 203); EA/low-risk (n = 314); LA/low-risk (n = 156). Baseline difference was accounted for by means of propensity score., Results: In high-risk patients, 1-year mortality was significantly lower with early abcximab compared to late administration (8.7% vs 15.8%; odds ratio 0.51, CI 0.31-0.85, P = .01). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, both early abciximab administration and patients' risk profile (TIMI score >or=3) were identified as independent predictors of 1-year mortality., Conclusions: Early abciximab administration before transfer for percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI shows lower mortality at 1-year follow-up. This effect is confined to patients with higher risk profile as defined by TIMI risk score >or=3.

Background: Abciximab is established as adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Based on some smaller studies, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks in various European countries have adopted the start of abciximab before transfer to the catheterization laboratory (cathlab) hospital as part of their routine treatment options. Although a recently published study did not reveal improved clinical outcome when starting abciximab before the cathlab, a potential benefit from such early administration, in particular in the setting of transfer networks, remains unclear and has been the subject of debate., Methods: Data of consecutive patients with STEMI transferred for primary PCI in hospital/ambulance-feeded STEMI networks treated between November 2005 and January 2007 at 15 PCI centers from 7 European countries were collected in the web-based EUROTRANSFER Registry., Results: Data from a total of 1,650 patients were collected. Abciximab was administered to 1086 patients (66%), of whom 727 received early abciximab (EA group: abciximab started before admission to cathlab, at least 30 minutes before balloon). Another 359 patients received late abciximab (LA group: periprocedural administration of abciximab in the cathlab). Preprocedural TIMI 3 flow was observed in 17.7% of patients with EA and in 8.9% in the LA group (P < .0001). Thirty-day mortality was 3.9% in the EA group versus 7.5% with LA (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.85, P = .011), and composite 30-day outcome including death, repeated myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization was present in 5.5% and 10.3%, respectively (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.81, P = .004). These differences remain statistically significant in favor of early abciximab after accounting and adjustment for differences between the groups by means of a multivariate regression model and propensity score., Conclusions: Patients in STEMI networks transferred for primary PCI who have received abciximab before transfer rather than in the cathlab had more patent arteries before PCI and showed lower rates for death and the composite clinical outcome at 30-day follow-up.

Background: It has been shown that early abciximab administration before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves efficacy of treatment. However, there are no data on the impact of this strategy on left ventricular (LV) function during long-term follow-up., Aim: To analyse the effects of early abciximab administration in patients with first anterior STEMI treated with pPCI on infarct size and LV function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance., Methods: A total of 59 patients with STEMI, <12 hours from the chest pain onset, without cardiogenic shock, admitted to local hospitals without interventional facilities, with anticipated delay to pPCI <90 min were randomly assigned to two study groups: 27 patients received abciximab before transfer to the catheterisation laboratory (early abciximab group), and 32 patients received abciximab in the catheterisation laboratory just before pPCI (late abciximab group). All patients received aspirin and heparin (70 U/kg) before transfer to the cath lab. Clopidogrel loading dose was administered in the cath lab before angiography., Results: Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed in 14 patients from each study group 1 year after pPCI and revealed a significantly lower LV end-systolic volume index (p=0.003), end-diastolic volume index (p=0.009) and better ejection fraction (p <0.05) in patients who received abciximab early., Conclusions: Early abciximab administration prior to transfer for pPCI in patients with first anterior STEMI results in a lower degree of LV remodelling and better LV ejection fraction at 1-year follow-up compared to late abciximab administration in the cath lab during pPCI.

Background: Early abciximab administration before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is recommended in practice guidelines. However, the evidence supporting abciximab use before and during transfer for PPCI is limited. We investigated the effect of early abciximab administration on early reperfusion, ST-segment resolution, enzymatic infarct size, and left ventricular function in patients with first anterior wall STEMI., Methods: A total of 59 nonshock patients with STEMI admitted <12 hours to remote hospitals with anticipated delay to PPCI of <90 minutes were randomly assigned to 2 study groups: 27 patients received abciximab before transfer to catheterization laboratory (Early group), and 32 patients received abciximab immediately before PPCI (Late group)., Results: Angiography revealed more frequent infarct-related artery patency in the Early group than in the Late group (TIMI 2 + 3: 48% vs 20%, P = .04). Better ST-segment resolution of >50% 60 minutes after PPCI was found in Early group than in the Late group (84% vs 56.7%, P = .04). The area under the curve for creatine kinase-MB indicated a significantly greater extent of myocardial injury in the Late group versus the Early group (8324 +/- 4185 vs 5938 +/- 3949 U/L . h, P = .04). There was a significant difference in the 30-day left ventricular end-systolic volume index (P = .02) and end-diastolic volume index (P = .05) in the echocardiography favoring the Early group., Conclusions: Early abciximab administration before transfer for PPCI in patients with first anterior wall STEMI results in more frequent infarct-related artery patency before PPCI, better myocardial tissue perfusion after PPCI, with lower enzymatic infarct size and lower degree of left ventricular remodeling during 30-day follow-up.