Eptifibatide blocks the increase in C-reactive protein concentration after coronary angioplasty

We measured C-reactive protein concentrations in 31 patients with interventional procedures after blocking thrombosis in 17 of them by the administration of a 12 hour long infusion of eptifibatide in order to evaluate the role of arterial thrombosis. There were no differences in C reactive protein concentration between the treated and control group pre-angioplasty (0.32 +/- 0.4 vs 0.56 +/- 0.57 md/dl; p = NS), nor post-angioplasty (0.35 +/- 0.42 vs 0.53 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, p = Ns). The eptifibatide group maintained basal C reactive protein concentrations 6 hours after the procedure, while the control group had a significant increase (0.43 +/- 0.5 vs 1.02 +/- 0.89 mg/dl; p < 0.05). There was a decrease in C reactive protein 24 hours after angioplasty in eptifibatide group (0.24 +/- 0.27 vs 1.34 +/- 0.89 mg/dl; p < 0.001), but it increased again 48 hours after the procedure although to a lesser extent than in the control group (0.57 +/- 0.55 vs 2.18 +/- 2.1 mg/dl; p < 0.05). Eptifibatide, a synthetic peptide which is a selective blocker of the platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor significantly reduced C-reactive protein concentration after angioplasty.