ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the difference between eptifibatide and tirofiban as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in acute coronary syndromes, as regards the efficacy in reducing morbidity and mortality and also as regards safety. A total of 60 patients was enrolled between November 2000 and October 2001. All eligible patients were those who had ischemic chest pain, either ECG changes indicative of ischemia or high serum concentration of CK- MB troponin I or both. They were randomly assigned to receive either eptifibatide or tirofiban, in addition to standard therapy. Drugs were infused for 48 hours. The endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction and refractory ischemia within seven days after randomization. There were no significant differences between both groups [eptifibatide and tirofiban] as regards the frequency of the composite end point [at 48 hours, 26% in the eptifibatide group vs. 20% in tirofiban group and at 7 days, 20% versus 24%]. Similarly, the frequency of bleeding events was not significantly different between both groups [14% in the eptifibatide group versus 6% in the tirofiban group]. The study concluded that there were no significant differences between eptifibatide and tirofiban in acute coronary syndromes, as regards efficacy and safety