Bivalirudin, sold under the brand names Angiomax and Angiox, among others, is a specific and reversible direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI).[2] Chemically, it is a synthetic congener of the naturally occurring drug hirudin, found in the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis. It is manufactured by The Medicines Company.[5]

Bivalirudin
Clinical data
Trade namesAngiomax, Angiox, others
Other namesd-Phenylalanyl-l-prolyl-l-arginyl
-l-prolylglycylglycylglycylglycyl-l-asparaginylglycyl
-l-alpha-aspartyl-l-phenylalanyl
-l-alpha-glutamyl-l-alpha-glutamyl-l-isoleucyl
-l-prolyl-l-alpha-glutamyl-l-alpha-glutamyl
-l-tyrosyl-l-leucine
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
License data
Routes of
administration
Intravenous injection/infusion only
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityN/A (IV application only)
MetabolismAngiomax is cleared from plasma by a combination of renal mechanisms and proteolytic cleavage
Elimination half-life~25 minutes in patients with normal renal function
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC98H138N24O33
Molar mass2180.317 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CC[C@H](C)[C@@H](C(=O)N1CCC[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC3=CC=CC=C3)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)O)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)N)NC(=O)CNC(=O)CNC(=O)CNC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@@H]4CCCN4C(=O)[C@H](CCCNC(=N)N)NC(=O)[C@@H]5CCCN5C(=O)[C@@H](CC6=CC=CC=C6)N
  • InChI=1S/C98H138N24O33/c1-5-52(4)82(96(153)122-39-15-23-70(122)92(149)114-60(30-34-79(134)135)85(142)111-59(29-33-78(132)133)86(143)116-64(43-55-24-26-56(123)27-25-55)89(146)118-67(97(154)155)40-51(2)3)119-87(144)61(31-35-80(136)137)112-84(141)58(28-32-77(130)131)113-88(145)63(42-54-18-10-7-11-19-54)117-90(147)66(45-81(138)139)110-76(129)50-107-83(140)65(44-71(100)124)109-75(128)49-106-73(126)47-104-72(125)46-105-74(127)48-108-91(148)68-21-13-38-121(68)95(152)62(20-12-36-103-98(101)102)115-93(150)69-22-14-37-120(69)94(151)57(99)41-53-16-8-6-9-17-53/h6-11,16-19,24-27,51-52,57-70,82,123H,5,12-15,20-23,28-50,99H2,1-4H3,(H2,100,124)(H,104,125)(H,105,127)(H,106,126)(H,107,140)(H,108,148)(H,109,128)(H,110,129)(H,111,142)(H,112,141)(H,113,145)(H,114,149)(H,115,150)(H,116,143)(H,117,147)(H,118,146)(H,119,144)(H,130,131)(H,132,133)(H,134,135)(H,136,137)(H,138,139)(H,154,155)(H4,101,102,103)/t52-,57+,58-,59-,60-,61-,62-,63-,64-,65-,66-,67-,68-,69-,70-,82-/m0/s1 checkY
  • Key:OIRCOABEOLEUMC-GEJPAHFPSA-N checkY
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Bivalirudin lacks many of the limitations seen with indirect thrombin inhibitors, such as heparin. A short, synthetic peptide, it is a potent and highly specific inhibitor of thrombin[2][6][7] that inhibits both circulating and clot-bound thrombin,[7] while also inhibiting thrombin-mediated platelet activation and aggregation.[8] Bivalirudin has a quick onset of action and a short half-life.[2] It does not bind to plasma proteins (other than thrombin) or to red blood cells. Therefore, it has a predictable antithrombotic response. There is no risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or heparin-induced thrombosis-thrombocytopenia syndrome.[2] It does not require a binding cofactor such as antithrombin and does not activate platelets.[6][9] These characteristics make bivalirudin an ideal alternative to heparin.

Bivalirudin clinical studies demonstrated consistent positive outcomes in patients with stable angina, unstable angina (UA), non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing PCI in seven major randomized trials.[2][7][8][10][11] Patients receiving bivalirudin had fewer adverse events compared to patients that received heparin.[12][13]

Medical uses

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United States

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  • Bivalirudin is indicated for use as an anticoagulant in patients with unstable angina undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).[2]
  • Bivalirudin with provisional use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI) is indicated for use as an anticoagulant in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  • Bivalirudin is indicated for patients with, or at risk of HIT/HITTS undergoing PCI.
  • Bivalirudin is intended for use with aspirin and has been studied only in patients receiving concomitant aspirin

European Union

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  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), including patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI.[14]
  • Bivalirudin is also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) planned for urgent or early intervention.
  • Bivalirudin should be administered with aspirin and clopidogrel.

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of action

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Bivalirudin directly inhibits thrombin by specifically binding both to the catalytic site and to the anion-binding exosite of circulating and clot-bound thrombin.[2] Thrombin is a serine proteinase that plays a central role in the thrombotic process. It cleaves fibrinogen into fibrin monomers, activates Factor V, VIII, and XIII, allowing fibrin to develop a covalently cross-linked framework that stabilizes the thrombus. Thrombin also promotes further thrombin generation, and activates platelets, stimulating aggregation and granule release. The binding of bivalirudin to thrombin is reversible as thrombin slowly cleaves the bivalirudin-Arg3-Pro4 bond, resulting in recovery of thrombin active site functions.[2]

Pharmacokinetics

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  • Following an IV bolus of bivalirudin of 1 mg/kg and a 4-hour 2.5 mg/kg/h IV infusion a mean steady state concentration of 12.3 ± 1.7 μg/mL is achieved[2]
  • Bivalirudin is cleared from plasma by a combination of renal mechanisms and proteolytic cleavage
  • Half-life:

-Normal renal function (≥ 90 mL/min) = 25 minutes

-Mild renal dysfunction (60–89 mL/min) = 22 minutes

-Moderate renal dysfunction (30-59 mL/min) = 34 minutes

-Severe renal dysfunction (≤ 29 mL/min) = 57 minutes

-Dialysis-dependent = 3.5 hours

  • Clearance is reduced approximately 20% in patients with moderate and severe renal impairment and by 80% in dialysis-dependent patients
  • Bivalirudin is hemodialyzable and approximately 25% is cleared by hemodialysis.

Pharmacodynamics[2]

Coagulation times return to baseline approximately 1 hour following cessation of bivalirudin administration.

Chemistry

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Bivalirudin is a 20 amino acid long peptide with the sequence D-Phe-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Asn-Gly-Asp-Phe-Glu-Glu-Ile-Pro-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Leu (FPRPGGGGNGDFEEIPEEYL), where the first residue is D-phenylalanine instead of the natural L-phenylalanine.

Safety information

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Bivalirudin is contraindicated in patients with active major bleeding and hypersensitivity to bivalirudin or its components. (In the EU bivalirudin is also contraindicated in patients with an increased risk of bleeding due to hemostasis disorders and/or irreversible coagulation disorders, severe uncontrolled hypertension, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and severe renal impairment [GFR<30 ml/min] and in dialysis-dependent patients).[2][14]

Bivalirudin is an anticoagulant. Therefore, bleeding is an expected adverse event. In clinical trials, bivalirudin treated patients exhibited statistically significantly lower rates of bleeding than patients treated with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. The most common (≥10%) adverse events of bivalirudin are back pain, pain, nausea, headache, and hypotension.[2][14]

Pediatric experience

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted pediatric exclusivity for bivalirudin, based on studies submitted in response to a written request by the FDA to investigate the use of bivalirudin in pediatric patients aged birth to 16-years old.

The submission was based on a prospective, open-label, multi-center, single arm study evaluating bivalirudin as a procedural anticoagulant in the pediatric population undergoing intravascular procedures for congenital heart disease.

Study outcomes suggest that the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) response of bivalirudin in the pediatric population is predictable and behaves in a manner similar to that in adults.[15]

Comparative results

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Bivalirudin is supported by several major randomized trials. These trials include REPLACE-2 (Randomized Evaluation of PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events-2), BAT (Bivalirudin Angioplasty Trial), ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy Trial), and HORIZONS AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in AMI). A total of 25,000 patients with a low to high risk for ischemic complications undergoing PCI were evaluated. Bivalirudin with or without provisional GPIIb/IIIa demonstrated similar angiographic and procedural outcomes and improved clinical outcomes when compared with heparin plus GPIIb/IIIa.[2][8][10][11][16]

HORIZONS-AMI[16][17][18]

HORIZONS AMI was a prospective, randomized, open-label, double-arm multicenter trial in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

30 Day Results

  • The incidence of net adverse clinical events (9.2% vs. 12.1%) and major bleeding (4.9% vs. 8.3%) was significantly reduced by bivalirudin monotherapy versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor with similar rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (5.4 vs. 5.5%) at 30 days.
  • A significant reduction in the rate of cardiac mortality in patients treated with bivalirudin monotherapy versus UFH plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor was observed (1.8% vs. 2.9%) at 30 days.
  • Patients receiving Angiomax monotherapy had similar rates of overall stent thrombosis (Academic Research Consortium (ARC) definition) at 30 days versus UFH plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (2.5% vs. 1.9%), with the exception of acute stent thrombosis (<24 hours), which was higher for the bivalirudin-treated patients at 1.3% vs 0.3% for the UFH-GP IIb/IIIa-inhibitor-treated patients.

1-Year Results

  • At 1-year follow-up, a reduction in the incidence of net adverse clinical events (15.7% vs. 18.3%) and major bleeding (5.8% vs. 4.9%) was maintained in the bivalirudin monotherapy group versus UFH plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group, with no difference in the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (11.9% vs. 11.9%)
  • A significant reduction in the rate of cardiac mortality in patients treated with bivalirudin monotherapy versus UFH plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor was maintained at 1 year in the HORIZONS AMI trial (2.1% vs. 3.8%)The incidence of stent thrombosis at 1 year was also similar between the 2 treatment groups (3.5% in the Angiomax group vs. 3.2% in the UFH plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group).

2-Year Results

  • At 2-year follow-up, a reduction in the incidence of net adverse clinical events (22.3% vs. 24.8%) and major bleeding (6.4% vs. 9.6%) was maintained in the bivalirudin monotherapy group versus UFH plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group, with no difference in the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (18.7% vs. 18.8%)
  • A significant reduction in the rate of cardiac mortality in patients treated with bivalirudin monotherapy versus UFH plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor was maintained at 2 year in the HORIZONS AMI trial (2.5% vs. 4.2%)
  • At 2-year follow-up, treatment with bivalirudin monotherapy resulted in a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality, representing 15 lives saved per 1000 patients treated (number needed to treat [NNT] = 67 to save 1 life).
  • The incidence of stent thrombosis (ARC definite/probable) at 2 years was also similar between the 2 treatment groups (4.6% in the Angiomax group vs. 4.3% in the UFH plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group).

ACUITY[8]

ACUITY was a large multicenter, prospective, open-label, 3-arm trial designed to establish the optimal antithrombotic treatment regimens in patients with UA/NSTEMI undergoing early invasive management.

30-Day Results

  • Bivalirudin monotherapy provided superior net clinical outcomes compared to any heparin regimen with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (10.1% vs 11.7%) at 30 days.
  • The incidence of ACUITY scale major bleeding (non-CABG) was decreased significantly by 47% in the bivalirudin monotherapy group vs the heparin with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group (3.0% vs 5.7%) at 30 days.

1-Year Results

  • Bivalirudin alone demonstrated no difference in the rates of composite ischemic complications (death, MI, unplanned revascularization for ischemia) versus heparin with GP IIb/IIIa inhibition (16.4% vs 16.3%) at 12 months.

REPLACE-2[11]

REPLACE-2 was a multicenter, double-blind, triple-dummy randomized clinical trial in patients with low to moderate risk for ischemic complications undergoing PCI.

30 Days

  • The incidence of net adverse clinical events (9.2% vs. 10.0%) and major adverse cardiovascular events (7.6% vs. 7.1%) was reduced by bivalirudin monotherapy versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor with significant reduction in rates of major bleeding (2.4 vs. 4.1%) at 30 days.

1-Year Results

  • Differences in mortality favoring bivalirudin at 30 days and 6 months was maintained at 12 months and demonstrated a 24% risk reduction in death compared to heparin plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibition.

BAT[10]

The Phase III Bivalirudin Angioplasty Trial (BAT) was a randomized, prospective, double blind, multicenter study in patients with unstable angina undergoing PTCA.

  • The composite endpoint of death, MI or revascularization occurred in 6.2% of patients treated with bivalirudin and in 7.9% of patients treated with heparin.
  • Significant reductions in clinical events were maintained at 90 days with absolute benefits being sustained through 180 days.
  • The incidence of major hemorrhage for the entire hospitalization period in patients assigned bivalirudin was 3.7% compared to 9.3% in patients randomized to heparin.

Guidelines

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Bivalirudin has Class I recommendations in multiple national guidelines.

US guidelines[19][20][21]

Patient Type Guidelines Recommendations
STEMI and primary PCI ACC/AHA/SCAI 2009 Joint STEMI/PCI Focused Update Class I-B, IIa-B
UA/NSTEMI ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for UA/NSTEMI patients Class I-B, IIa-B
NSTE-ACS patients ACCP 2008 clinical practice guidelines for patients with NSTE-ACS Grade 1A, 2B
PCI ACCP 2008 clinical practice guidelines for patients with NSTE-ACS Grade 1B

EU guidelines[22][23][24]

Patient Type Guidelines Recommendations
STEMI European Society of Cardiology 2008 Class IIa – B
NSTE-ACS European Society of Cardiology 2007 Class IIa-B, IB
PCI European Society of Cardiology 2005 Class IIa C, IC

References

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  1. ^ "Regulatory Decision Summary - Bivalirudin Injection". Health Canada. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Angiomax- bivalirudin injection". DailyMed. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Angiomax RTU- bivalirudin injection, solution". DailyMed. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Angiox EPAR". European Medicines Agency (EMA). 2 September 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  5. ^ "The Medicines Company Reacquires Angiox Rights in Europe from Nycomed". Fierce Biotech (Press release). 2 July 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b Anand SX, Kim MC, Kamran M, Sharma SK, Kini AS, Fareed J, et al. (August 2007). "Comparison of platelet function and morphology in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention receiving bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin versus clopidogrel pretreatment and bivalirudin". The American Journal of Cardiology. 100 (3): 417–24. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2007.02.106. PMID 17659921.
  7. ^ a b c Weitz JI, Hudoba M, Massel D, Maraganore J, Hirsh J (August 1990). "Clot-bound thrombin is protected from inhibition by heparin-antithrombin III but is susceptible to inactivation by antithrombin III-independent inhibitors". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 86 (2): 385–91. doi:10.1172/JCI114723. PMC 296739. PMID 2384594.
  8. ^ a b c d Stone GW, McLaurin BT, Cox DA, Bertrand ME, Lincoff AM, Moses JW, et al. (November 2006). "Bivalirudin for patients with acute coronary syndromes" (PDF). The New England Journal of Medicine. 355 (21): 2203–16. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa062437. hdl:2445/49765. PMID 17124018. S2CID 12034067.
  9. ^ Weitz JI, Bates SM (April 2002). "Acute coronary syndromes: a focus on thrombin". The Journal of Invasive Cardiology. 14 Suppl B: 2B–7B. PMID 11967385.
  10. ^ a b c Bittl JA, Chaitman BR, Feit F, Kimball W, Topol EJ (December 2001). "Bivalirudin versus heparin during coronary angioplasty for unstable or postinfarction angina: Final report reanalysis of the Bivalirudin Angioplasty Study". American Heart Journal. 142 (6): 952–9. doi:10.1067/mhj.2001.119374. PMID 11717596.
  11. ^ a b c Lincoff AM, Bittl JA, Harrington RA, Feit F, Kleiman NS, Jackman JD, et al. (February 2003). "Bivalirudin and provisional glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade compared with heparin and planned glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade during percutaneous coronary intervention: REPLACE-2 randomized trial". JAMA. 289 (7): 853–63. doi:10.1001/jama.289.7.853. PMID 12588269.
  12. ^ Brauser D (13 April 2015). "BRIGHT in Print: Bivalirudin Bests Heparin for Fewer Bleeding Events During PCI, but Dose Matters". Medscape. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  13. ^ Clinical trial number NCT01696110 for "BivaliRudin in Acute Myocardial Infarction vs Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and Heparin :a Randomised Controlled Trial. (BRIGHT)" at ClinicalTrials.gov
  14. ^ a b c "Annex 1 - Summary of Product Characteristics" (PDF). www.themedicinescompany.com. The Medicines Company UK Ltd. March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  15. ^ Zamora R, Forbes T, Hijazi Z, Qureshi A, Ringewald J, Rome J, et al. (2009). "Bivalirudin (Angiomax) As a Procedural Anticoagulant in the Pediatric Population Undergoing Intravascular Procedures for Congenital Heart Disease". Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. 73 (S1): S8.
  16. ^ a b Stone GW, Witzenbichler B, Guagliumi G, Peruga JZ, Brodie BR, Dudek D, et al. (May 2008). "Bivalirudin during primary PCI in acute myocardial infarction" (PDF). The New England Journal of Medicine. 358 (21): 2218–30. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0708191. PMID 18499566.
  17. ^ Mehran R, Lansky AJ, Witzenbichler B, Guagliumi G, Peruga JZ, Brodie BR, et al. (October 2009). "Bivalirudin in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (HORIZONS-AMI): 1-year results of a randomised controlled trial". Lancet. 374 (9696): 1149–59. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61484-7. PMID 19717185. S2CID 205955934.
  18. ^ Gregg W. Stone (25 September 2009). HORIZONS- AMI: Two-Year Follow-up from a Prospective, Randomized Trial of Heparin Plus Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors vs. Bivalirudin and Paclitaxel-Eluting vs. Bare-Metal Stents in STEMI. TCT2009 Conference, San Francisco.
  19. ^ Kushner FG, Hand M, Smith SC, King SB, Anderson JL, Antman EM, et al. (December 2009). "2009 focused updates: ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (updating the 2004 guideline and 2007 focused update) and ACC/AHA/SCAI guidelines on percutaneous coronary intervention (updating the 2005 guideline and 2007 focused update) a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 54 (23): 2205–41. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2009.10.015. PMID 19942100.
  20. ^ Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, Bridges CR, Califf RM, Casey DE, et al. (August 2007). "ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) developed in collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 50 (7): e1–e157. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.02.013. PMID 17692738.
  21. ^ Harrington RA, Becker RC, Cannon CP, Gutterman D, Lincoff AM, Popma JJ, et al. (June 2008). "Antithrombotic therapy for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition)". Chest. 133 (6 Suppl): 670S–707S. doi:10.1378/chest.08-0691. PMID 18574276.
  22. ^ Silber S, Albertsson P, Avilés FF, Camici PG, Colombo A, Hamm C, et al. (April 2005). "Guidelines for percutaneous coronary interventions. The Task Force for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions of the European Society of Cardiology". European Heart Journal. 26 (8): 804–47. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehi138. PMID 15769784.
  23. ^ Bassand JP, Hamm CW, Ardissino D, Boersma E, Budaj A, Fernández-Avilés F, et al. (July 2007). "Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes". European Heart Journal. 28 (13): 1598–660. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm161. PMID 17569677.
  24. ^ Van de Werf F, Bax J, Betriu A, Blomstrom-Lundqvist C, Crea F, Falk V, et al. (December 2008). "Management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with persistent ST-segment elevation: the Task Force on the Management of ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction of the European Society of Cardiology". European Heart Journal. 29 (23): 2909–45. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehn416. PMID 19004841.