title: Abciximab bolus injection does not reduce cerebral ischemic complications of elective carotid artery stenting: a randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Abciximab has been shown to significantly reduce thromboembolic complications of coronary artery stenting. A prospective, randomized study was performed to test whether abciximab has comparable beneficial effects in carotid artery stenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four consecutive patients undergoing elective stenting of the carotid artery were included in the study. Standard antithrombotic medication consisted of aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin. In addition, half of the patients received an abciximab bolus of 0.25 mg/kg body weight given prophylactically before the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure was successful in all but 1 patient. In patients receiving abciximab, ischemic complications consisted of 4 transient ischemic attacks, 1 minor stroke, 1 nonfatal major stroke, and 1 fatal stroke caused by cerebral hemorrhage. In the control group, 2 transient ischemic attacks and 1 major nonfatal stroke occurred. In summary, the total number of periprocedural ischemic events was 7 (19%) in the abciximab group and 3 (8%) in the control group. Nonischemic complications consisted of 1 inguinal hematoma requiring blood transfusions in each group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abciximab bolus given prophylactically before elective carotid artery stenting does not reduce ischemic complications.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, City Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria. robert.hofmann@akh.linz.at
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerschner
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinwender
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kypta
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bibl
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leisch
mesh_terms: D000077284:Abciximab; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077284:Abciximab