Comparison of effectiveness of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin to reduce silent and clinically apparent acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

Am J Cardiol. 2007 Jan 15;99(2):186-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2006.07.078. Epub 2006 Nov 15.

Abstract

Electrocardiographic (ECG) estimates of myocardial infarct size based on the Selvester ECG score have been shown to predict mortality and left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This score has also been used to identify not clinically apparent AMI ("silent" AMI) and to determine treatment effect, suggesting it could serve as a clinical trial end point. The objective of this study was to compare the rate of silent AMI as measured by the Selvester QRS score in patients with a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with enoxaparin versus intravenous unfractionated heparin who were participating in a continuous ECG monitoring substudy of the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Non-Q-wave Coronary Events study (ESSENCE) and INTegrelin and Enoxaparin Randomized Assessment of acute Coronary syndrome Treatment trial (INTERACT). Enoxaparin was associated with a 56% relative risk decrease in silent AMI at 96 hours compared with unfractionated heparin (2.7% vs 6.1% p = 0.03). Similarly, enoxaparin decreased Holter-detected myocardial ischemia compared with unfractionated heparin (18.7% vs 35.9%, p = 0.03). In conclusion, enoxaparin significantly decreased the composite of silent AMI or clinical AMI and death at 1 year (9.3% vs 21%, p = 0.0001).

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / drug effects
  • Enoxaparin / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heparin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy*
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Radiography
  • Syndrome
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Enoxaparin
  • Heparin