[Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: is primary PCI superior to thrombolysis?].
Thrombolysis is an established treatment of acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST elevation (STEMI). Thrombolytic agents are most effective in patients who can be treated within two hours of symptom onset. On the other hand, the efficacy of mechanical recanalization (PCI) was consistently shown to be superior to thrombolysis regardless of the duration of symptoms. Recent studies further suggest that it may be preferable for small hospitals to rapidly transfer patients with acute STEMI to a PCI center rather than perform on-site thrombolysis. Therefore, this novel strategy is principally recommended in the updated guidelines of German and international cardiac societies. However, it is emphasized that the transfer-related delay of treatment should not exceed 60-90 minutes.
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Klinikum der Georg-August-Universität, Abteilung Kardiologie und Pneumologie, 37099 Göttingen.
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