Early management of myocardial infraction: a report from the Waikato Hospital, New Zealand.
A retrospective review was made of the early management of 50 consecutive patients admitted with an acute myocardial infarction to assess the potential suitability and actual application of thrombolysis, intravenous beta-blockade and aspirin therapy. Thrombolysis was indicated for 15 patients (30%), of whom 14 actually did receive intravenous streptokinase. Thus, 93.3% of all eligible patients received thrombolysis. The main contraindication to thrombolysis was a presentation more than six hours from onset of symptoms in 26 patients (52%). Intravenous beta-blockade was indicated for 17 patients (34%), six patients were actually treated resulting in a therapeutic coverage of 35.3%. Heart failure in 21 patients (42%) was the main contraindication. Aspirin was indicated for 48 patients (96%). However, only 14 were treated giving a therapeutic coverage of 29.2%. A large majority of our patients with an acute myocardial infarction were eligible to receive aspirin which has been a neglected therapeutic modality.
Department of Cardiology, Walkato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
H T
HT
Ong
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Friedlander
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009520:New Zealand; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001241:Aspirin