title: Design and rationale of Clopidogrel as Adjunctive Reperfusion Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (CLARITY-TIMI) 28 trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although fibrinolysis is effective in improving outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), failure to achieve reperfusion and/or reocclusion of the infarct-related artery occur in substantial proportions of patients during their index hospitalization and are associated with a significant increase in mortality. We hypothesize that the addition of clopidogrel to standard fibrinolytic therapy in patients with acute STEMI will improve reperfusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  CLARITY-TIMI 28 is a multicenter, international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to examine the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel when added to standard adjuvant therapy for fibrinolysis. The primary efficacy end point is the composite of an occluded infarct-related artery (defined as TIMI flow grade 0 or 1) on the predischarge angiogram or death or a recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) up to the start of coronary angiography. For subjects who do not undergo angiography, occurrence of death or recurrent MI by day 8 or by hospital discharge, whichever comes first, is used. The primary safety assessment is TIMI major bleeding. Secondary end points include ST resolution at 180 minutes and the clinical composite of death, MI, or recurrent ischemia. Substudies include analyses of biomarkers, DNA, continuous electrocardiogram monitoring, and initiation of treatment in the ambulance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CLARITY-TIMI 28 will help to define the role of clopidogrel as part of the pharmacologic reperfusion regimen for acute STEMI.
authors.affiliation: TIMI Study Group, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. msabatine@partners.org
authors.forename: Marc S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sabatine
authors.forename: Carolyn H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: C Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Cannon
mesh_terms: D000077144:Clopidogrel; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine