PMID: 2107535Jan 1, 1990Paper

A nationwide survey of prescribing patterns for thrombolytic drugs in acute myocardial infarction

Pharmacotherapy
T H Grasela, J A Green

Abstract

In November 1988, 164 hospitals enrolled in the Drug Surveillance Network participated in a nationwide survey of prescribing patterns for thrombolytic drugs for patients with an acute myocardial infarction. The results indicated that alteplase has made dramatic inroads, being used exclusively in 14.6% of the hospitals; in 64% of the hospitals both alteplase and streptokinase were on the formulary. Overall, however, only 17% of patients admitted with an acute myocardial infarction were treated with a thrombolytic, and use of these agents varied markedly across institutions. One of the reasons for this low figure may be the current maximum allowable time from onset of symptoms to administration of a thrombolytic. This time limit was less than 6 hours in the majority of hospitals in spite of recent evidence suggesting that these drugs may be effective up to 24 hours after onset of symptoms. The low and variable use of the agents for acute myocardial infarction suggests the need to identify patient- and physician-related obstacles so that overall attitudes and professional practice can be modified to reverse this trend. Given large number of institutions reporting the presence of formal, prospective, pharmacy-initiated monitoring p...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.