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Bivalirudin in Percutaneous Coronary Interventions and Acute Coronary Syndromes: New Concepts, New Directions

Shah1, Popma, Piana

  • 1The Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Current Interventional Cardiology Reports
|November 30, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, shows promise for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and acute coronary syndromes. Its role alongside new antiplatelet drugs requires further study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) commonly uses unfractionated heparin and aspirin to prevent thrombotic complications.
  • Direct thrombin inhibitors offer theoretical advantages over unfractionated heparin for antithrombin therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pharmacologic promise and clinical performance of bivalirudin in PCI.
  • To evaluate bivalirudin's role in managing acute coronary syndromes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bivalirudin's use in PCI and acute coronary syndromes.
  • Analysis of pharmacologic properties and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Bivalirudin demonstrates theoretical advantages as a direct thrombin inhibitor.
  • Clinical experience with bivalirudin in PCI predates recent advancements in interventional techniques and antiplatelet therapies.

Conclusions:

  • The optimal role of bivalirudin and other direct thrombin inhibitors in modern coronary intervention needs further investigation.
  • Further elucidation is required regarding bivalirudin's place in current PCI and acute coronary syndrome management strategies.

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