Comparison of patient outcomes with bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin in percutaneous coronary intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To compare clinical outcomes and glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitor use in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who received bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin (UFH) in a real-world setting.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort analysis.


METHODS
University-affiliated medical center.


METHODS
One thousand seventy-five adult patients who underwent PCI and received either bivalirudin (539 patients) or UFH (536 patients) from April 1, 2003-April 1, 2004.


RESULTS
Patient data on demographics, comorbidities, laboratory values, and reports of radiologic examinations, cardiac catheterizations, and discharge summaries were obtained. Outcomes evaluated included rates of in-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and length of stay (LOS), as well as Randomized Evaluation of PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events (REPLACE-2) and Thrombosis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) bleeding categorization. Bivalirudin use was associated with a significant reduction in TIMI major (5.0% vs 9.7%, p=0.003), REPLACE-2 major (5.4% vs 12.9%, p<0.001), and TIMI minor (1.7% vs 6%, p<0.001) bleeding complications compared with UFH use. Significantly fewer patients in the bivalirudin group received glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors (27.3% vs 62.7%, p<0.001). Patients receiving bivalirudin had significantly fewer myocardial infarctions after catheterization (10.7% [40/375] vs 18.0% [51/284], p=0.007). No differences were noted in mortality and revascularization rates between groups. A shortened LOS was observed in the bivalirudin group.


CONCLUSIONS
This real-world analysis that included high-risk patients provides further evidence that bivalirudin is an attractive alternative to UFH because of a decrease in bleeding events without compromising efficacy.
Watson
Kristin
K
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Seybert
Amy L
AL
Saul
Melissa I
MI
Lee
Joon Sup
JS
Kane-Gill
Sandra L
SL
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006629:Hirudins / Q000009:adverse effects; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006629:Hirudins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006493:Heparin; C074619:bivalirudin