Abciximab plus stenting reduced coronary events in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

P a t i e n t s 300 patients (mean age 61 y, 82% men) who were > 18 years of age, had had the first symptoms of MI within 12 hours before enrollment, and had ST-segment elevation of > 1 mm in ≥ 2 contiguous electrocardiographic leads. Exclusion criteria were bleeding diathesis; administration of thrombolytic agents for the current episode; neoplasm; recent stroke; uncontrolled hypertension; recent surgery; oral anticoagulant therapy; limited life expectancy; child-bearing potential; and known contraindications to aspirin, ticlopidine, or heparin. Follow-up was 100%. I n t e r v e n t i o n 149 patients were allocated to abciximab (bolus of 0.25 mg/kg of body weight, followed by a 12-hour infusion of 0.125 μg/kg per min) plus stenting (the treatment group); 151 patients were allocated to placebo plus stenting (the control group).