The efficacy and safety of combination glycoprotein IIbIIIa inhibitors and reduced-dose thrombolytic therapy-facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of adjunctive use of reduced-dose thrombolytics and glycoprotein (Gp) IIbIIIa inhibitors to the sole use of Gp IIbIIIa inhibitors before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

BACKGROUND: Early reperfusion in STEMI is associated with improved outcomes. The use of reduced-dose thrombolytic and Gp IIbIIIa inhibitors combination before PCI in the setting of acute STEMI remains controversial.

METHODS: We performed a literature search and identified randomized trials comparing the use of combination therapy-facilitated PCI versus PCI done with Gp IIbIIIa inhibitor alone. Included studies were reviewed to determine Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)-3 flow at baseline, major bleeding, 30-day mortality, TIMI-3 flow after PCI, and 30-day reinfarction. We performed a random-effect model meta-analysis. We quantified heterogeneity between studies with I2. A value >50% represents substantial heterogeneity.

RESULTS: We identified 4 clinical trials randomizing 725 patients; 424 patients were pretreated with combination therapy before PCI, and 301 patients had Gp IIbIIIa inhibitor alone during PCI. Combination therapy-facilitated PCI was associated with a 2-fold increase in TIMI-3 flow upon arrival to the catheterization laboratory compared with the sole use of upstream Gp IIbIIIa inhibitors (192/390 patients [49%] versus 60/284 [21%]; relative risk [RR], 2.2; P < .00001). However, post-PCI TIMI-3 flow was similar between the 2 groups (279/319 patients [87%] versus 188/212 [88%]; RR, 0.99; P = .85). Major bleeding events significantly increased in the combination therapy group (40/420 patients [9.5%] versus 14/299 [4.7%]; RR, 2.2; P = .007). The 30-day mortality (15/424 patients [3.5%] versus 5/301 [1.7%]; RR, 1.47; P = .46) and 30-day reinfarction rate (5/424 patients [1.1%] versus 3/301 [1.0%]; RR, 0.96; P = .96) were similar in the 2 treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Awaiting the results of the ongoing clinical trials, the current cumulative evidence does not support the routine use of combination of reduced-dose thrombolytic and Gp IIbIIIa inhibitor therapy-facilitated PCI for the treatment of STEMI.