Efficacy and safety of early versus late glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors for PCI.

Background: Glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are beneficial for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, optimal drug timing remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study was to perform a meta-analysis of the clinical efficiency and safety of early versus late GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors in STEMI patients undergoing PCI.

Methods: A comprehensive search was to identify randomized trials of early versus late GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors in STEMI patients undergoing PCI. The GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors were abciximab and small-molecular Gp inhibitors (SMGP) namely eptifibatide and tirofiban. The efficacy endpoints included pre-procedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow, post-procedural TIMI 3 flow, complete ST-segment resolution, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), and mortality. The safety endpoint was the occurrence of major bleeding complications.

Results: Nineteen trials were included in the meta-analysis, involving 4209 patients (early 2124 versus late 2085). Early GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors significantly improved pre-procedural TIMI 3 flow, while early abciximab, but not SMGP, further enhanced post-procedural TIMI 3 flow, complete ST-segment resolution, LVEF, and reduced six-month mortality. In addition to clopidogrel loading, only early abciximab improved pre-procedural TIMI 3 flow and complete ST-segment resolution. The rate of major bleeding complications was not increased in early GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors with/without clopidogrel loading.

Conclusions: Early GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors improved pre-procedural TIMI 3 flow and early abciximab provided favorable clinical outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing PCI. On the basis of clopidogrel loading, early abciximab enhanced pre-procedural TIMI 3 flow and ST-segment resolution. These beneficial effects were achieved without increased risks of major bleeding complications.