Acute Coronary Syndromes Literature Summaries

THROMBOLYSIS

Fibrinolytic Therapy Trialists Group. Indications for fibrinolytic therapy in suspected AMI: collaborative overview of early mortality and major morbidity results from all randomised trials of more than 1000 patients. Lancet 1994; 343:311-322

meta-analysis
n = 58600
-> thrombolysis associated with excess deaths on day 0-1
-> survival benefit during days 2-35
-> give as soon as possble
-> stroke risk = 4/1000 in first 24 hrs

Second International Study of Infarct Survival Collaborative Group. Randomised trial of intravenous streptokinase, oral aspirin, both or neither among 17,187 cases of suspected AMI: ISIS-2. Lancet 1998;2:349-360.

-> streptokinase & aspirin was additive in terms of reducing death and this benefit persisted with 10 yr follow up.

THROMBOLYSIS VS PCI

Andersen et al, A comparision of coronary angioplasty with fibrinolytic therapy in AMI, N Engl J Med 2003;349:733-742

RCT
n = 1572
STEMI’s
ateplase or angioplasty
-> PCI superior to thrombolysis in terms of reinfarction but not mortality
-> must transfer to cathlab within 2 hrs

Keeley EC, et al. Primary angioplasty vs IV thrombolytic therapy for AMI: a quantitative review of 23 randomised trials. Lancet 2003;361:13-20.

n = 7739
STEMI’s
PTCA vs thromolysis
-> PTCA associated with a significant reduction in short-term mortality, non-fatal reinfarction and combinded end point of death, non-fatal reinfarction and stroke.

PCI

Morce MC, et al. A randomised comparison of a sirolimus-eluting stent with a standard stent for coronary revascularization. N Engl J Med 2002;346:1773-1780.

RCT
n = 238
uncoated vs sirolimus-eluting stents
single, primary lesions in native coronaries
-> at 6 months significant reduction in neo-intimal proliferation and degree of stent stenosis
-> at 1 yr there is a significant reduction in major cardiac events

Di Mario, C. et al (2008) “Immediate angioplasty versus standard therapy with rescue angioplasty after thrombolysis in the Combined Abciximab REtetplase Stent Study in Acute Myocardial Infarction (CARESS-in-AMI): an open, prospective, randomized, multicentre trial” Lancet 371:559-68

MRCT
open
n = 600
inclusion criteria: 90min or clinical deterioration
primary end points = death, reinfarction or refractory ischaemia @ 30 days
-> immediate transfer for PCI improves outcome in high risk patients with STEMI
-> no significant increase in major bleeding or strokes
-> criticism: generalizability to our situation -> these patients are an incredibly few and high risk, primary outcome only significant when sub-groups combined not individually.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

The Epic Investgators. Use of a monoclonal antibody directed against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor in high-risk coronary angioplasty. N Engl J Med 1994; 330:956-961

RCT
n = 2099
abcixmab vs placebo
severe unstable angia, evolving acute MI or high risk plaque morphology
-> significant reduction in death, non-fatal MI, unplanned repeat PCI & surgical revascularisation

First International Study of Infarct Survival Collarborative Group. Randomised trial of Intravenous atenolol 16, 027 cases of suspected AMI: ISIS-1. Lancet 1986; 2:57-66

RCT
n = 16,027
atenolol vs placebo
-> atenolol group had significant reduction in mortality @ 1 yr

Magnesium in Coronaries (MAGIC) Trial Investigators. Early administration of IV Magnesium to high risk patients with AMI in the Magnesium in Coronaries Trial. Lancet 2002;360:1189-1196.

RCT
n = 6213
STEMI given Mg2+ or placebo
-> no change in 30-day mortality

The Platelet Receptor Inhibition in Ischemic Syndrome Management in Patients Limited by Unstable Signs & Symptoms (PRISM-PLUS) Study Investigators. Inhibition of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor with tirofiban in unstable angina and non-Q wave MI. N Engl J Med 1998;338:1488-1497

RCT
n = 1915
groups aspirin + (1) tirofiban, (2) unfractionated heparin, (3) tirofiban + heparin
-> tirofiban + heparin experienced lower incidence of death, MI or refractory ischaemia within 7 days
-> no significant increase in bleeding compared to those receiving heparin

Petersen JL, et al. Efficacy and bleeding complications among patients randomized to enoxaparin or UFH for antithrombin therapy in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: a systematic review. JAMA 2004; 294:89-96.

systematic review
-> enoxaparin is better than UFH in preventing combined end point of death or MI without an increase in bleeding.

Yusuf S, et al. The Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to Prevent Recurrent Events Trial Investigators. Effects of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin in patients with ACS without ST-segment elevation. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:494-502.