Centocor
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Monoclonal antibody platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor ReoPro with stenting reduces risk of death or heart attack by 51% at six-months compared to use of stents alone, according to results released from the EPISTENT trial. The 2,399 patient, 63-center trial, primarily using J&J's Palmaz-Schatz stent, randomized patients with ischemic heart disease to either stenting with placebo, stenting with ReoPro or angioplasty with ReoPro. A sustained six-month 31% reduction in death and heart attack also was shown using ReoPro and angioplasty compared to stenting alone