What are the benefits of using bivalirudin plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors compared to UFH plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors?
The rates of composite ischemia (death, MI, unplanned revascularization) in patients who received bivalirudin alone compared with those who received UFH plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were similar (9% versus 8.9%, respectively; P=0.87 for noninferiority; P=0.13 for superiority). Fewer patients experienced major bleeding with bivalirudin alone than did with heparin plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors (4% versus 7%; relative risk [RR]: 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.67; P<0.001). 