Peri-Procedural Myocardial Infarction, Platelet Reactivity, Thrombin Generation, and Clot Strength: Differential Effects of Eptifibatide + Bivalirudin Versus Bivalirudin

Percutaneous stent implantation has revolutionized the revascularization procedure for patients with obstructive coronary disease and angina. The major risk of coronary stenting, both during and after the procedure, is clot formation (thrombosis) which often leads to significant heart muscle damage. The standard medical practice for patients undergoing coronary stenting is the use of antiplatelet (plavix, aspirin) and anticoagulant (blood thinner) therapy. The results from our recently completed CLEAR PLATELETS I study showed that the addition of eptifibatide (a potent antiplatelet agent) to current therapy resulted in superior reduction in clot formation, inflammation and heart damage after elective coronary intervention. Recent studies have also suggested the drug bivalirudin to be a safer and more effective therapy compared to heparin, the current anticoagulant agent of choice. It has been hypothesized that bivalirudin acts not only as an anticoagulant but also as an antiplatelet agent, making the use of eptifibatide in current coronary therapy unwarranted. In the CLEAR PLATELET II study, we will compare levels of clot formation (platelet aggregation), markers of heart muscle damage, and inflammation in two groups. The first group will be on a regimen of high-dose clopidogrel used in combination with bivalirudin plus eptifibatide, and the second group will be on a regimen of high-dose clopidogrel with bivalirudin alone. The antiplatelet/antithrombotic effect that bivalirudin has in combination with these current therapies is unknown; therefore we hope to see the effect that bivalirudin has on arresting platelet formation with and without eptifibatide. This research will be done at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore with Paul Gurbel M.D. as the principal investigator. It will include 200 patients who will be randomized equally between groups. Clopidogrel (600 mg) + eptifibatide + bivalirudin Clopidogrel (600 mg) + bivalirudin All patients will receive treatment with clopidogrel in the cath lab immediately after successful stenting. All patients post-stenting will receive standard antiplatelet treatment (75mg Plavix and 325 mg aspirin). Patients will have serial assessment of platelet reactivity, myocardial necrosis markers, and inflammatory markers (3 tablespoons of blood per time point) at baseline, 2 hours, 8 hours, and 18- 24 hours post-stenting. All blood work will be processed at the Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research. Clinical outcomes will be recorded using a standard case report form. Patients will be followed up at 30 days and 1 year by telephone to assess for adverse events.