Eptifibatide in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The ESPRIT Trial Results

The ESPRIT (Enhanced Suppression of the Platelet IIb/IIIa Receptor with Integrilin Therapy) trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess whether a novel, double-bolus dose of eptifibatide could improve the outcomes of patients undergoing coronary stenting. A total of 2064 patients undergoing stent implantation in a native coronary artery were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to receive eptifibatide, given as two 180-g/kg boluses 10 minutes apart and a continuous infusion of 2.0 g/kg-minute for 18 to 24 hours, or placebo, in addition to aspirin, heparin, and a thienopyridine. The primary end point was the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), urgent target vessel revascularization (TVR), and thrombotic "bailout" GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy within 48 hours after randomization. The key secondary end point was the composite of death, MI, or urgent TVR at 30 days.