Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Improvement of a Closed Chest Porcine Myocardial Infarction Model by Standardization of Tissue and Blood Sampling Procedures
Published on: March 12, 2018
Influence of abciximab on evolution of left ventricular function in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute
Stefanie Schulz1, Julinda Mehilli, Gjin Ndrepepa
1Deutsches Herzzentrum, Technische Universität, Lazarettstr. 36, 80636, Munich, Germany. schulzs@dhm.mhn.de
Insights
Abciximab did not improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study found no impact on LVEF evolution over 6-8 months.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Acute Coronary Syndromes
Background:
- Abciximab is known to reduce adverse cardiac events in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI.
- The impact of abciximab on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) evolution in these patients remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of abciximab on the change in LVEF from baseline to 6-8 months post-PCI in NSTE-ACS patients.
- To determine if abciximab influences the recovery or decline of LVEF in this specific patient population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1,158 patients from the ISAR-REACT 2 trial with paired angiograms at baseline and 6-8 months.
- Comparison of LVEF at follow-up between patients receiving abciximab (n=586) and placebo (n=572).
- Multivariate analysis to identify independent correlates of follow-up LVEF.
Main Results:
- Baseline LVEF was similar between the abciximab and placebo groups (approximately 53%).
- No significant difference in LVEF was observed at 6-8 month follow-up between the two groups (approximately 55%).
- Subgroup analysis in patients with elevated troponin also showed comparable LVEF at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Abciximab, despite reducing major adverse cardiac events, does not improve or alter the evolution of LVEF over 6-8 months in NSTE-ACS patients treated with PCI and clopidogrel.
- Factors such as age, prior MI, and baseline LVEF independently correlated with follow-up LVEF.
Background:
Abciximab reduced the combined endpoint of death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation after a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of abciximab on the evolution of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in these patients.
Methods:
The current study included 1,158 patients enrolled in the randomized, double-blind ISAR-REACT 2 (the Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen: Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment) trial who had paired angiograms obtained at baseline and 6-8 months after randomization. Of them, 586 patients received abciximab and 572 patients received placebo. The primary outcome analysis was LVEF at 6-8-month follow-up.
Results:
Baseline LVEF was comparable in patients assigned to abciximab or placebo (53.2 ± 12.6 vs. 53.7 ± 12.1%; P = 0.393). At 6-8-month follow-up angiography, there was no difference in LVEF between the abciximab and placebo groups (55.4 ± 11.5 vs. 55.8 ± 11.2%; P = 0.743). Subgroup analysis of patients with elevated baseline troponin (>0.03 μg/L) also revealed comparable LVEF at follow-up in both treatment groups (P = 0.527). The multivariate analysis identified age, arterial hypertension, prior MI, prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, baseline LVEF, MI at 30 days and repeat PCI as independent correlates of follow-up LVEF.
Conclusion:
Although abciximab reduced the 30-day and 1-year incidence of major adverse cardiac events in patients with NSTE-ACS undergoing primary PCI after pre-treatment with a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel, the agent did not improve or impact on the evolution of LVEF over 6-8 months of follow-up.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:20Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures