title: Evolution of improved antithrombotic and antiplatelet agents: genesis of the Comparison of Abciximab Complications with Hirulog [and back-Up Abciximab] Events Trial (CACHET).
abstract: Enhanced adjunctive pharmacotherapy for percutaneous coronary revascularization is evolving. New modifications to the original antithrombotic, antiplatelet combination of heparin and aspirin have become part of standard practice. Platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors have been shown to decrease the incidence of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction at 30 days by approximately 50%. However, there are continuing concerns with this class of agents, including bleeding complications, cost, and the inability to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from their use. Bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor capable of inactivating clot-bound thrombin, has demonstrated enhanced short-term efficacy with a significantly decreased incidence of bleeding compared with heparin in patients with acute coronary syndromes. These findings provided a basis for a new, large-scale trial-Comparison of Abciximab Complications with Hirulog [and Back-Up Abciximab] Events Trial (CACHET)-which compares primary abciximab plus aspirin and heparin with aspirin plus intraprocedural bivalirudin and ad hoc abciximab. All patients who are candidates for stenting will receive clopidogrel before coronary intervention, and if stenting is performed, maintenance clopidogrel for 30 days. The trial aims to evaluate improved anticoagulation with bivalirudin and preprocedural oral antiplatelet protection and the use of ad hoc abciximab as a basis for a practical, acceptable antithrombotic, antiplatelet strategy to improve outcomes in percutaneous coronary revascularization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Topol
mesh_terms: D000077284:Abciximab; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024764:Hirudin Therapy; D006629:Hirudins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012107:Research Design; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D006629:Hirudins; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006493:Heparin; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin; C074619:bivalirudin; D000077284:Abciximab