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.