title: Expanding indications for thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction. How late is too late, and how early is early: the clinician's view of the first 100 minutes.
abstract: Proper understanding of the pathologic process of a ruptured plaque followed by thrombus formation, with acute assessment of the deranged pathophysiology of the coronary circulation as a sequel, remains the basis for rational therapy of cardiac ischemia. With the advent of better thrombolytic regimens, improved direct reperfusion via angioplasty, and streamlined recognition/admission procedures, therapeutic strategies for dealing with acute myocardial infarction have once more turned to the options for early therapy. From recent studies of out-of-hospital thrombolysis or immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, the position is reinforced that "early" means the first 100 minutes. It is hoped that the large Global Utilization of Streptokinase and t-PA for Occluded Arteries (GUSTO) study, which specifically analyses the effect of early reperfusion by optimal alteplase and actilyse (recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator [rt-PA]) versus streptokinase regimens will confirm this essential concept once and for all. Thus, when appropriate therapy--depending in the local availability of facilities--is promptly given, further reductions in myocardial infarction size and ventricular dysfunction can be achieved, resulting in mortality rates < 5%, at substantial savings in ever more expensive healthcare resources. "Early is < 100 minutes; later may be too late or too costly."
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Hugenholtz
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000191:economics; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome