title: Pre PCI hospital antithrombotic therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction: striving for consensus.
abstract: Strong evidence exists in favor of rapid transfer of a patient suffering an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to the nearest hospital with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability, assuming the time from first medical contact to balloon inflation can be achieved in less than 90 min. In many areas, PCI hospitals have successfully collaborated with regional non-PCI hospitals to provide primary PCI for STEMI; however, significant variations exist in how these programs are executed. For example, the pre PCI hospital administration of antithrombotic agents by emergency medical personnel can include aspirin, clopidogrel, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, partial or full dose fibrinolytics or combinations thereof. There is little consensus on the optimal cocktail, dose and route of administration. Standardizing the pre PCI antithrombotic regimen across hospital systems may be one approach to improve timely administration of these therapies, and potentially improve STEMI outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA. sgharacholou@uwhealth.org
authors.forename: S Michael
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gharacholou
authors.forename: Brenda J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Christian C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Zuver
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wubben
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gimelli
authors.forename: Amish N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Raval
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents