AIR STUDY

TITLE: Anti-Ischemic effects of Abciximab(Reopro)

PATIENT POPULATION: Patients undergoing PCI(an interventional procedure placing a small stent/metallic tube to keep a narrowed artery in your heart open) and either on a stable statin dose or not on a statin. Statin= cholesterol lowering drug(ie, lipitor, zocor).

INTERVENTION: Heparin vs. heparin + abciximab during PCI

PURPOSE: Measure the effects of abciximab on special healing blood stem cells (EPC's-Endothelial Progenitor Cells), on inflammation, on oxidative stress and on microvascular blood flow.

PATIENT ASSESSMENT:

1. 50ccs blood draw on day 1(from sheath), day 2 ,day 7 and day 28.
2. Measurement of blood flow in selected suitable patients
3. 10 minute questionnaire before discharge and on visit on day 28.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Have either:

   • clinical history of anginal symptoms or positive stress test or
   • in stent restenosis

2. Have an angiographic >70% coronary artery stenosis that will be treated with coronary angioplasty or stenting procedure

3. For at least four weeks prior to the procedure have been on, no Hmgcoa- reductase inhibitor or a stable statin dose

4. negative pregnancy test

5. are able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Coronary intervention within four weeks prior to enrollment.
2. Treatment with abciximab antagonist within four weeks.
3. treatment with thrombolytic therapy within 48 hours
4. MI within 2 months.
5. recent infections
6. general anesthesia within 3 months.
7. renal failure

Subjects with coronary artery disease undergoing left heart catheterization