title: Thrombolytic therapy and acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Coronary thrombosis and subsequent time-dependent wavefront cardiac muscle necrosis are the pathophysiological hallmarks of an acute myocardial infarction. Early treatment of the thrombus by intravenous thrombolytic therapy results in a major reduction of mortality by salvage of myocardial muscle and preservation of left ventricular function. Although the benefit of streptokinase has been best documented, second generation thrombolytics (APSAC and rt-PA) are probably superior thrombolytic agents. The data on the additive effect of inhibition of platelet aggregation with low dose acetylsalicylic acid on degree of thrombolysis and mortality after a myocardial infarction are convincing. The reduction in mortality brought about by intravenous thrombolytic therapy is highly time-dependent, so that its application in a patient presenting with an acute myocardial infarction must be considered as a race against time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Vandenbogaerde
mesh_terms: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents