Urgent surgery in patients with a recently implanted coronary drug-eluting stent: a phase II study of 'bridging' antiplatelet therapy with tirofiban during temporary withdrawal of clopidogrel

In patients with a recently implanted DES and high-risk characteristics for stent thrombosis needing urgent surgery, a 'bridging strategy' using i.v. tirofiban may allow temporary withdrawal of oral clopidogrel without increasing the risk of bleeding.