An audit of thrombolytic therapy in a rural hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the complications from the use of streptokinase in a hospital remote from specialist support.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis from record files of patients treated with streptokinase thrombolysis following myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Busselton District Hospital, Busselton, Western Australia.


METHODS
The medical records of all patients admitted to Busselton District Hospital, from 1986 to 1991 with diagnoses of chest pain, angina or myocardial infarction were studied retrospectively and those admitted in 1992 who were given streptokinase were studied prospectively.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients received streptokinase. Two patients received this treatment twice. The drug was started a median of 30 minutes after arrival in casualty. Four deaths and one case of serious haemorrhage were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombolytic therapy is simple to give. Early use of it should be encouraged in isolated hospitals.
Cohen
S
S
Intensive Care Unit, St John of God Hospital, Bunbury, Western Australia.
Gibb
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D014904:Western Australia
D006493:Heparin; D013300:Streptokinase