Bivalirudin in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Patients Undergoing PCI

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 to 80 years with stable ischemic heart disease in whom PCI was required. Exclusion Criteria: * cardiogenic shock; * thrombolytic therapy administered before randomization or any anticoagulant administered within 48 hours of randomization; * active or recent major bleeding or bleeding predisposition; * major surgery within 1 month; * clinical syndrome suspicious for aortic dissection, pericarditis, or endocarditis; * blood pressure higher than 180/110 mm Hg; * known hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL, platelet count less than 100 × 109/L, aminotransferase level greater than 3 × the upper limit of normal, or creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min; * history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; * allergy to any of the study drugs or devices; * pregnancy or lactation; * any condition making PCI unsuitable or that might interfere with study adherence; and * patient unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent.