title: Safe use of thrombolysis in the elderly.
abstract: Elderly individuals with acute myocardial infarction represent a high-risk population that may benefit the most from thrombolytic therapy. To date, studies with streptokinase, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and APSAC have shown improved survival in patients up to age 80, although there was an increased risk for hemorrhagic complications. While a placebo-controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings in even older patients, careful screening of the individual should make thrombolysis safe and effective for selected patients in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Louis University Medical Center, MO.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wittry
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Chaitman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016255:Anistreplase; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D016255:Anistreplase; D010958:Plasminogen; D013300:Streptokinase; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator