Prospective evaluation of early abciximab and primary percutaneous intervention for patients with ST elevation myocardial Infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: Results of the REO-SHOCK trial

Objective. Patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock have a high mortality despite the use of early reperfusion therapies with thrombolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, there is still need to evaluate therapy strategies in these patients. Design. The REO-SHOCK trial was a prospective, non-randomized study, aimed at evaluation of a routine strategy of early abciximab and PCI in a high-risk group of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with cardiogenic shock. Results. Patients (n = 40) planned for coronary angioplasty or stenting received abciximab (0.25 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.125 mg/kg/minute over 12 hours), heparin and aspirin. The intervention was successful in 92.5% of the patients and achieved Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 patency in 32 patients (80%). The primary endpoint, total mortality after 30 days, was observed in 42.5% (17/40), and was significantly different between patients aged > 75 years and patients aged ≤ 75 years (91% versus 24%, respectively; p < 0.001). Major bleeding occurred in 2 patients (5%), but stroke occurred in none. Conclusion. A strategy of abciximab with primary PCI in high-risk patients with cardiogenic shock is safe, associated with a high procedural success rate and seems to improve outcomes in patients < 75 years old.