title: Thrombolysis in the era of the randomized trials.
abstract: Thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction is of established value in recanalizing the occluded coronary artery, reducing infarct size, and decreasing mortality. Here, we review the extensive information provided by large clinical trials on agent and patient selection, timing of treatment, adjuvant therapies, and complications. Early treatment is of prime importance. Tissue plasminogen activator is slightly superior to streptokinase, especially in young patients treated early. Intravenous heparin should be used in conjunction with tissue plasminogen activator, although its role when streptokinase is used is less clear. Aspirin, beta-blockers, and converting enzyme inhibitors are of proven value as adjunctive therapies; nitrates and magnesium are not. Newer antithrombotic and antiplatelet agents (eg, hirudin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists) may further improve results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zahger
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gotsman
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D013300:Streptokinase; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator