title: Early management of ST elevation myocardial infarction: a review of practice.
abstract: The last two decades of the 20th century witnessed continuous evolution in the understanding of the pathophysiology of ST elevation myocardial infarction. In parallel, the management of these patients developed steadily throughout this time and into the early years of the 21st century. From humble beginnings involving oxygen therapy, bed rest and analgesia, the relative merits of different strategies to open 'infarct-related arteries' (IRAs) are now being debated: pharmacological reperfusion, mechanical reperfusion or a combination of both these modalities. The current understanding of the process of thrombotic occlusion of the coronary artery has led to the appreciation of the importance of not simply opening the IRA, but also maintaining its patency once opened. Considerable attention is now being afforded to the significant minority of patients who do not achieve early, complete myocardial reperfusion, despite restoration of adequate flow down the epicardial IRA. Those patients who fail to achieve myocardial reperfusion, either due to late presentation or failure of reperfusion therapy, and are left with permanent myocardial scarring can now be considered. This article critically appraises the recent and emerging evidence and clinical implications of the contemporary management of ST elevation myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Mohsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farooq
authors.forename: Amer S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: Iain B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Squire
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D012038:Regeneration; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists