OBJECTIVETo observe the safety and efficiency of ultra-early glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade tirofiban use in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSFrom April 2005 to April 2006, 158 consecutive AMI patients (117 males, mean age of 58.8 +/- 25.2 years) were randomly received tirofiban (10 microg/kg bolus i.v. followed by 0.15 microgxkg(-1)xmin(-1) for 36 hours) before PCI in emergency room (early, n = 78) or immediately before PCI in catheterization lab (late, n = 80). Clinical and angiographic features between 2 groups before and after PCI were analyzed.

RESULTSBaseline clinical characteristics before PCI were similar between the two groups. Tirofiban was administered 39.8 minutes earlier in early group than that in the late group. The TIMI 3 flow rate (23.1% vs. 10.0%, P = 0.032) and the combined TIMI 2 or 3 flow rate (39.7% vs. 23.8%, P = 0.040) at initial angiography before PCI were significantly higher in early group than that in late group. However, TIMI 3 flow rate, myocardial Blush grade or corrected TIMI frames immediately after PCI were similar between the groups. The combined incidence of death or recurrent MI as well as bleeding complications or thrombocytopenia rate during early follow-up were similar between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly initiation of tirofiban in patients with acute STEMI treated by primary PCI was safe. A better patency (TIMI 3 and TIMI 2-3 flow) in infarct related artery was obtained in patients with early tirofiban administration.