Local intramural heparin delivery during primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: Results of the local PAMI pilot study

The feasibility and safety of local heparin delivery during acute infarct a ngioplasty was evaluated in a prospective, multicenter, 120-patient series. Angioplasty was performed using standard techniques, after which heparin ( 4,000 U) was delivered locally; 25% of patients received stents, Procedural success was reported in 98% of patients; 6.7% of patients suffered death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia, or stroke during the index hospitalizatio n. The 6-month target vessel revascularization rate was 12.5%, Local hepari n therapy with provisional stenting in acute myocardial infarction patients is safe, feasible, associated with a low rate of infarct artery revascular ization at 6 months, and may potentially eliminate the need for systemic he parin following the procedure. Cathet Cardiovasc, Intervent 47,237-242, 199 9. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.