Incidence and characteristics of inappropriate and false-positive cardiac catheterization laboratory activations in a regional primary percutaneous coronary intervention program.

Background: The implementation of regional primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) programs has been critical in achieving timely intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, 1 consequence has been inappropriate and false-positive cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) activations where either angiography is cancelled or no culprit lesion is found, respectively.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1,391 patients referred for primary PCI to a single academic center from November 2007 to August 2013.

Comparison of abciximab and eptifibatide on angiographic and clinical outcomes in rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for failed fibrinolytic therapy.

Background: Adjunctive administration of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet receptor antagonist (GPA), abciximab, improves outcomes in patients undergoing rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unknown if other GPAs provide a similar benefit in this setting.

Objective: We sought to compare angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients receiving abciximab or eptifibatide as an adjunct to rescue PCI.