Safety and feasibility of intra-arterial bivalirudin bolus administration during primary angioplasty

AIMWe investigated the feasibility and safety of intra-arterial bivalirudin bolus during primary angioplasty. BACKGROUNDBivalirudin has been shown to be an effective and safe anticoagulant during angioplasty. However, in the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial, the bivalirudin group experienced higher acute stent thrombosis rate compared with the heparin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor group. One possible explanation is suboptimal systemic administration. METHODSTo prevent this possibility and to potentially prevent acute stent thrombosis, we administered intra-arterial bivalirudin bolus during primary angioplasty in 100 consecutive patients. RESULTSOur observational study suggests safety with no bleeding episode and no observed acute stent thrombosis. CONCLUSIONWe conclude that intra-arterial bivalirudin bolus during primary angioplasty is safe and could ensure effective systemic delivery of bivalirudin.