Aspirin Plus Coumarin Versus Aspirin Alone in the Prevention of Reocclusion After Fibrinolysis for Acute Myocardial Infarction Results of the Antithrombotics in the Prevention of Reocclusion In Coronary Thrombolysis (APRICOT)-2 Trial

Background— Despite the use of aspirin, reocclusion of the infarct-related artery occurs in ≈30% of patients within the first year after successful fibrinolysis, with impaired clinical outcome. This study sought to assess the impact of a prolonged anticoagulation regimen as adjunctive to aspirin in the prevention of reocclusion and recurrent ischemic events after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Methods and Results— At coronary angiography <48 hours after fibrinolytic therapy, 308 patients receiving aspirin and intravenous heparin had a patent infarct-related artery (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] grade 3 flow). They were randomly assigned to standard heparinization and continuation of aspirin alone or to a 3-month combination of aspirin with moderate-intensity coumarin, including continued heparinization until a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.0 to 3.0. Angiographic and clinical follow-up were assessed at 3 months. Median INR was 2.6 (25 to 75th percenti...