title: Non-administration of thrombolytic agents in acute myocardial infarction patients in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran: prevalence rate and causes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of mortality worldwide and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of mortality among cardiovascular diseases. Thrombolytic therapies, especially during the first few hours after the disease onset, can significantly reduce AMI-related mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and causes of non-administration of thrombolytic therapy for AMI patients admitted to Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran, from May until November 2000. Non-probability convenient sampling method was used to select 106 subjects with Q-wave AMI. Data was collected by completing a questionnaire, reviewing medical records, and interviewing with patients. SPSS7.5 was for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total number of 106 AMI patients were studied among whom 62 (59%) individuals received thrombolytic therapy. Delayed referral to the hospital was the major cause of failure to provide thrombolytic therapy. The cause of non-treatment could not be identified in 15 (19.5%) subjects eligible to receive therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training general practitioners and individuals involved in this regard along with accelerating the process of patient referral to hospitals can reduce AMI-related mortality.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammadreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samieinasab
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirani
authors.forename: Sayyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pourmoghaddas
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hekmat
keywords: Acute Myocardial Infarction; Therapy; Thrombolytic