Comparison of the effects of two doses of recombinant hirudin compared with heparin in patients with acute myocardial ischemia without ST elevation: a pilot study. Organization to Assess Strategies for Ischemic Syndromes (OASIS) Investigators.

BACKGROUND: Despite the use of aspirin and heparin, patients with acute ischemic syndromes are at risk of myocardial infarction (MI) or refractory ischemia. Therefore, evaluation of more potent antithrombotic therapies is warranted. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n=909) with unstable angina or suspected acute MI without ST-segment elevation were randomized to receive heparin (5000 IU bolus+1000 to 1200 U/h, n=371), low-dose hirudin (LDHir) (0.2 …