Emergency management of acute myocardial infarction. Focus on pharmacologic therapy.
Treatment of acute myocardial infarction has evolved significantly in the past two decades. Reperfusion therapies of thrombolysis and percutaneous angioplasty are major advances that can be employed to save infarcting myocardium and reduce mortality. When reperfusion therapy is combined with the use of aspirin, beta-blockade, heparin, and nitroglycerin, the emergency management of the patient with myocardial infarction can be completed. Outcomes in patients are determined by what happens in the first few minutes to hours after onset, and any delay in diagnosis or treatment may have significant consequences. This article reviews intervention and treatment strategies for acute myocardial infarction.
Hayes
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Division of Emergency Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. hayes@com.msu.edu
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents