Abciximab decreases ischemic complications during angioplasty. Intracoronary urokinase lyses intracoronary thrombus. We studied the combination of both drugs. Twenty-six consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes and intracoronary thrombus underwent intervention with abciximab and intracoronary urokinase. All received aspirin and IV heparin. The dose of abciximab was a weight-adjusted bolus and a 12-hr infusion. The dose of urokinase was 250,000 to 633,000 units. Hemorrhagic complications were classified according to the TIMI study group. Hemoglobin and platelet counts were measured before and 12 and 48 hr after the procedure. Procedural success was achieved in 24 patients. There were no deaths or repeat interventions. No patient had a major bleeding complication. Only two had minor complications. One patient needed blood transfusion. None had a stroke or thrombocytopenia. The use of abciximab and intracoronary urokinase in the presence of intracoronary thrombus is associated with encouraging efficacy and few complications. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 49:113-116, 2000.
Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.