PMID: 2507069Aug 26, 1989Paper

Role of the general practitioner in managing patients with myocardial infarction: impact of thrombolytic treatment. Report of a British Heart Foundation Working Group

BMJ : British Medical Journal

Abstract

Thrombolytic treatment, combined with aspirin, has been shown to reduce mortality by half in patients in hospital with suspected acute myocardial infarction if it is given early after the onset of symptoms. This fact adds to the importance of prompt and skillful intervention. At present in the United Kingdom the median time for receiving suitable management for this condition is about four to six hours. With better organisation this delay could, in most areas, be reduced to two or three hours. A major change in the care of patients with myocardial infarction is needed in which the general practitioner should have a crucial role. Health authorities, hospital physicians, general practitioners, and the ambulance services must coordinate their efforts if the potential reduction in mortality is to be realised. The district medical officer should consult colleagues and draw up guidelines for organising the care of patients who have had heart attacks. The management of patients who have had heart attacks in the community and in hospital should be continually audited. There are dangers inherent in the use of thrombolytic treatment, particularly when conditions other than myocardial infarction are treated in error. This treatment should...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 1, 1992·Irish Journal of Medical Science·A W MurphyG Bury
Feb 1, 1993·Irish Journal of Medical Science·J A O'HareB Abuaisha
Dec 22, 2004·International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care·Claire PackerJames Raftery
Jan 19, 1991·BMJ : British Medical Journal·M McCabe, C Weston
Oct 1, 1993·Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps·T S Burge, E R Chilvers
Feb 7, 1994·Quality in Health Care : QHC·P A NeeM A Martin
Feb 24, 1990·BMJ : British Medical Journal·M C Petch
Jan 19, 1991·BMJ : British Medical Journal·F I Konotey-Ahulu

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