Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2003
Review"Routine invasive" versus "selective invasive" approaches to non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes management in the post-stent/platelet inhibition era.
Is a "routine invasive" or "selective invasive" strategy the best approach for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS)? A "selective invasive" strategy incorporates ischemia-guided use of aggressive medical therapy followed by angiography and revascularization for angina or stress-induced myocardial ischemia. The "routine invasive" strategy (cardiac catheterization followed by percutaneous coronary intervention within 24 to 48 h of symptom-onset) is frequently employed, but no randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated improved clinical outcomes. Recently, the second Fragmin and fast Revascularization during InStability in Coronary artery disease (FRISC-II) and the Treat angina with Aggrastat and determine Cost of Therapy with an Invasive or Conservative Strategy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TACTICS TIMI-18) trials found significant reductions in death, recurrent myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for biomarker-positive ACS. ⋯ The FRISC-II, TACTICS TIMI-18, and RITA-3 studies indicate that higher-risk patients benefit from early revascularization, but that aggressive antiplatelet, antithrombin, and anti-ischemic therapy are also important. While all three trials support an "early invasive" approach in intermediate- and high-risk patients, other trials support a more "conservative" approach in those without electrocardiographic changes or enzyme elevations. Optimal management should incorporate both strategies.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2003
ReviewShort- and long-term oral antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary intervention.
Platelets play a central role in both the short- and long-term manifestations of atherothrombosis. In acute coronary syndrome (ACS), there is a steep rise in cardiovascular events early, followed by an incremental rise in cardiovascular events over the long term. This long-term event rate is related to persistent platelet activation and thrombin generation. ⋯ For the large number of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the CURE trial, there was a substantial risk reduction with clopidogrel pretreatment followed by long-term therapy (p < 0.002). This benefit was present, regardless of whether intervention was performed early or late. The significant benefits of aspirin and clopidogrel persist for the combined efficacy-safety end point of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, or life-threatening bleeding when clopidogrel is started early, combined with aspirin and other standard therapies, and continued for up to one year.