title: Intravenous streptokinase during acute myocardial infarction. A prospective open study.
abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 108 patients received a high-dose (1.5 million units), short-term infusion (60 minutes) within 6 hours after onset of symptoms, followed by anticoagulation. Before discharge a submaximal exercise test and a coronary arteriography were performed in 100 surviving patients. Sixty-seven patients had a patent infarct-related vessel. Clinical reocclusion occurred in 21 patients. Left ventricular function was slightly, but not significantly, better in patients with patent infarct-related vessels: ejection fraction 59.5 +/- 13% versus 57.4 +/- 13%. Additional procedures were performed in 20 patients: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 8 and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in 12. The results indicate that streptokinase applicated during a 6 hour-time window is a potent thrombolytic agent in acute myocardial infarction with limited effect on global left ventricular function. Pre-discharge evaluation is necessary to screen patients for residual ischemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stammen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van de Werf
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanhaecke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piessens
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Geest
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013300:Streptokinase