title: Use of low-molecular-weight heparins in the management of acute coronary artery syndromes and percutaneous coronary intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) possess several potential pharmacological advantages over unfractionated heparin as an antithrombotic agent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically summarize the clinical data on the efficacy and safety of LMWHs compared with unfractionated heparin across the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), and as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched MEDLINE for articles from 1990 to 2002 using the index terms heparin, enoxaparin, dalteparin, nadroparin, tinzaparin, low molecular weight heparin, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, thrombolytic therapy, reperfusion, and drug therapy, combination. Additional data sources included bibliographies of articles identified on MEDLINE, inquiry of experts and pharmaceutical companies, and data presented at recent national and international cardiology conferences.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected for review randomized trials comparing LMWHs against either unfractionated heparin or placebo for treatment of ACS, as well as trials and registries examining clinical outcomes, pharmacokinetics, and/or phamacodynamics of LMWHs in the setting of PCI. Of 39 studies identified, 31 fulfilled criteria for analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data quality was determined by publication in the peer-reviewed literature or presentation at an official cardiology society-sponsored meeting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LMWHs are recommended by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology for treatment of unstable angina/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Clinical trials have demonstrated similar safety with LMWHs compared with unfractionated heparin in the setting of PCI and in conjunction with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Finally, LMWHs show promise as an antithrombotic agent for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LMWHs could potentially replace unfractionated heparin as the antithrombotic agent of choice across the spectrum of ACSs. In addition, they show promise as a safe and efficacious antithrombotic agent for PCI. However, further study is warranted to define the benefit of LMWHs in certain high-risk subgroups before their use can be universally recommended.
authors.affiliation: TIMI Study Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Graham C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Giugliano
authors.forename: Elliott M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Antman
mesh_terms: D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D006493:Heparin