Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Platelet Integrin Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Blocker Integrelin in Elective Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Background Platelet aggregation and thrombosis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary angioplasty complications. Integrelin, a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide with high affinity and marked specificity for platelet integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, effectively blocks ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Methods and Results In 150 patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention, random assignment was made to one of three treatment regimens: placebo; a 90-μg/kg bolus of Integrelin before angioplasty followed by a 1.0-μg · kg −1 · min −1 infusion of Integrelin for 4 hours; or a 90-μg/kg bolus followed by a 1.0-μg · kg −1 · min −1 infusion of Integrelin for 12 hours. Patients were followed to 30 days for the composite occurrence of myocardial infarction, stent implantation, repeat urgent or emergency percutaneous intervention or coronary bypass surgery, or death. Pharmacodynamic data were obtained in a subset of 31 patients. Administration of a 90-μg/kg bolus of Integrelin achieved an 86% inhibition of platelet aggregation, and this inhibition was maintained by a 1.0-μg · kg −1 · min −1 infusion. There was a trend toward reduction in end-point events from 12.2% (placebo) to 9.6% (4-hour infusion) to 4.1% (12-hour infusion), although these differences were not statistically significant ( P =.13 for the 12-hour group compared with placebo). Major bleeding occurred in 8%, 8%, and 2% of patients, while minor bleeding was observed in 14%, 33%, and 47% of patients, respectively. There was no difference in bleeding index among groups (1.5, 1.7, and 1.3, respectively), defined as [(change in hematocrit/3)+red blood cell units transfused]. Conclusions This first clinical investigation of Integrelin during routine, elective, low- and high-risk coronary intervention supports the potential efficacy of Integrelin in routine coronary interventions. Pharmacodynamic analyses demonstrate that profound and sustained inhibition of platelet function is achieved, although a higher bolus dose may be required. Definitive assessment of efficacy and safety will need to await a large-scale study powered to achieve statistical significance.