Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors combined with fibrinolytic agents to treat acute myocardial infarction.
Fibrinolytic drugs given within 6-12 h of onset of symptoms have reduced mortality by approximately 30%. However, even the most efficacious regimens are associated with only a 55% reperfusion rate at 90 min. In contrast, primary angioplasty (without fibrinolysis) yields to reperfusion in 75-95% of cases. This therapy, when compared with fibrinolysis, is associated with lower early mortality and reinfarction rates. Therefore, there is a need to find a therapy that would have the speed and ease of administration of intravenous lysis and the efficacy of primary angioplasty in re-establishing normal myocardial tissue perfusion. This article will review the rationale for the use of partial-dose lytic agents combined with platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. The available and upcoming data on this subject will also be reviewed.
L'Allier
P L
PL
Montreal Heart Institute, Canada. philippe.lallier@sympatico.ca
Lincoff
A M
AM
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex