What evidence is there that hirudin is effective for the management of acute myocardial infarction?
Evidence that hirudin can be effective for the management of acute myocardial infarction is provided by several studies referenced in the article. These include the Thrombolysis and Thrombin Inhibition in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 9A trial (Antman, 2000), TIMI 9B trial (Antman, 1996), the Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) IIa Investigators (GUSTO IIA Investigators, 1994), and the GUSTO IIB Investigators (GUSTO IIB Investigators, 1996). These studies showed that hirudin was safe and effective in patients with acute myocardial infarction, and could be used as an alternative to heparin to manage the condition. 