title: A new therapeutic approach in fibrinolytic therapy: intracoronary streptokinase.
abstract: Although it is certain that thrombolytic therapy is effective in achieving reperfusion in an acutely thrombosed coronary artery, the ability of such restoration of flow to preserve myocardial function must be demonstrated. It must also be determined if the gains in contractile function are of sufficient magnitude to reduce morbidity and deaths after infarction. The patient population that can potentially benefit from this procedure is largely unknown. However, it is certain that the institution of thrombolytic therapy must begin in the early hours of acute infarction. The vast majority of patients with MI are cared for in hospitals that do not perform cardiac catheterizations. Thus the question of efficacy of intravenous fibrinolytic therapy is very important. Randomized clinical trials are already in progress and answers to important questions are forthcoming.
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D013300:Streptokinase