Therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients who present late or are ineligible for reperfusion therapy.
Despite the wide contemporary availability of pharmacological and mechanical means of reperfusion, a very significant proportion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients are still not offered any reperfusion therapy, and some of them are considered "ineligible for reperfusion." Spontaneous reperfusion and contraindications to the use of fibrinolytics and/or mechanical reperfusion methods account only for a small part of these clinical situations. The boundary between "timely" and "late" presentation in STEMI, the appropriateness of percutaneous intervention in patients presenting late after onset of symptoms, and the impact of sex and age on the eligibility and/or choice of reperfusion therapy continue to be challenged by the most recent published data. In the current invasive-driven reperfusion era, if scientific evidence and clinical guidelines are applied diligently, the vast majority of eligible STEMI patients should receive reperfusion therapy. Pharmacological nonlytic therapy of patients with STEMI, regardless of the choice of reperfusion strategy or the absence of it, is clearly defined by the current practice guidelines. Available data suggest that for patients who do not receive any form of reperfusion, anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin provides a clear additional mortality benefit versus placebo. Fondaparinux as compared with usual care (unfractionated heparin infusion or placebo) significantly reduces the composite of death or myocardial reinfarction without increasing severe bleeding or number of strokes. In the treatment of late-presenting patients with STEMI (beyond the first 12 h after onset of symptoms), clinical evaluation and risk stratification represent the crucial elements helping in decision making between therapeutic interventions.
Cohen
Marc
M
Division of Cardiology, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey 07112, USA. marcohen@sbhcs.com
Boiangiu
Catalin
C
Abidi
Mateen
M
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D015897:Comorbidity; D000075202:Contraindications; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine