Initial Experience of Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibition With Abciximab During Carotid Stenting A Safe and Effective Adjunctive Therapy

Background and Purpose— Abciximab has been shown to decrease periprocedural ischemic complications after coronary intervention. However, the adjunctive use of abciximab in carotid stenting has not been adequately studied. We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of abciximab in carotid stenting. Methods— Carotid stenting was performed in 151 consecutive patients determined to be at high surgical risk by a vascular surgeon. Of these, 128 consecutive patients received adjuvant therapy with abciximab (0.25 mg/kg bolus before the lesion was crossed with guidewire and 0.125 μg · kg−1 · min−1 infusion for 12 hours.). A heparin bolus of 50 U/kg was given, and activated clotting time was maintained between 250 to 300 seconds. All patients received aspirin and thienopyridine. Procedural and 30-day outcomes were compared between the control (n=23) and abciximab (n=128) groups. Results— The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics. Procedural events were more frequent in the control group (8%; 1 major str...