Early discharge is feasible following primary percutaneous coronary intervention with transradial stent implantation under platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade. Results of the AGGRASTENT Trial.
BACKGROUND
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation demonstrated to be superior to both PCI with balloon angioplasty and to thrombolysis for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa blockers in this setting may be beneficial. However, GP IIb-IIIa receptor blocker treatment is frequently accompanied by femoral entry site-related bleeding complications, resulting in additional morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. These complications are minimized by using the transradial approach (TRA).


METHODS
This study prospectively explored the feasibility of early discharge (within 4 days) following primary PCI with transradial stent implantation under GP IIb-IIIa blockade with tirofiban in the setting of STEMI. One-hundred patients with STEMI eligible for PCI were included.


RESULTS
Of these 100 patients, 62% received treatment according to the protocol, e.g., TRA, successful PCI with stent implantation, full-dose GP IIb/IIIa receptor blocker infusion and early discharge. The PCI was successful in 95%. Early discharge was achieved in 75 patients of the total study population. Major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) did not occur in the early discharge group, with a 1-year event-free survival rate of 91%. The combined MACCE rates in the total study population at 1, 6, and 12 months were 8%, 15% and 20%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Early discharge is feasible following primary PCI with stent implantation via the radial artery under GP IIb-IIIa blockade for STEMI, however a larger study is needed to prove the efficacy of this strategy.
Dirksen
Maurits T
MT
Amsterdam Department of Interventional Cardiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ronner
Eelko
E
Laarman
Gert-Jan
GJ
van Heerebeek
Loek
L
Slagboom
Ton
T
van der Wieken
L Ron
LR
van der Wouw
Poll A
PA
Kiemeneij
Ferdinand
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000293:injuries; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D000077466:Tirofiban; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D014443:Tyrosine; D000077466:Tirofiban