Enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin as antithrombin therapy in patients receiving fibrinolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Design and rationale for the Enoxaparin and Thrombolysis Reperfusion for Acute Myocardial Infarction Treatment-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction study 25 (ExTRACT-TIMI 25)

ExTRACT-TIMI 25 is a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group, multinational, clinical trial designed to provide definitive data on the efficacy and safety of a strategy of enoxaparin throughout index hospitalization vs standard treatment with UFH as adjunctive antithrombin therapy in patients with STEMI who are eligible for fibrinolysis. If the dose reduction of enoxaparin in elderly patients and more conservative use of UFH than has been the case in prior trials of fibrinolysis are both associated with lower rates of bleeding as compared with historical data, a means for improving the safety of pharmacological reperfusion will be established. © 2005, Published by Elsevier Inc.