Importance of early initiation of intravenous streptokinase therapy for acute myocardial infarction
Abstract
The importance of timing of intravenous streptokinase (SK) administration in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was evaluated. Intravenous SK, 750,000 U, was administered within 4 hours of the onset of ischemic chest pain to 72 consecutive patients having their first AMI. Six days later, cardiac catheterization was performed to calculate global ejection fraction (EF), and computer-derived infarct-related regional EF and dysfunction index were also determined; electrocardiograms were recorded, from which QRS scores could be calculated to estimate infarct size. Of 19 patients who had an anterior AMI, 12 (63%) who received intravenous SK within 2 hours after onset of pain sustained only minimal damage in terms of global EF, infarct-related EF, dysfunction index and QRS score. All 10 patients who received SK 2 to 4 hours after pain onset had large infarcts (p less than 0.001). Of the former group, 11 of 12 patients (91%) whose pain was relieved within 1.5 hours of intravenous SK administration (presumably due to successful reperfusion) had a good outcome, whereas all 7 whose pain lasted longer did poorly (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, among patients with anterior AMI, 11 of 14 (79%) whose pain was relieved within 3....Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Aphasia
Aphasia affects the ability to process language, including formulation and comprehension of language and speech, as well as the ability to read or write. Here is the latest research on aphasia.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Risk Factors
Cardiovascular disease is a significant health concern. Risk factors include hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and smoking. Women who are postmenopausal are at an increased risk of heart disease. Here is the latest research for risk factors of cardiovascular disease.