Interventional therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has proven to be more effective and safer than thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary intervention decreases early mortality and the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage when performed by an experienced interventional team in a timely fashion. After failed fibrinolytic therapy for myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is indicated for signs of ischemia and is very effective in restoring vessel patency and reducing mortality when used as a rescue procedure. The glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors improve outcomes in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, particularly in patients undergoing stent placement. Percutaneous interventional therapy in acute myocardial infarction is particularly beneficial in patients with cardiogenic shock and effective for saphenous vein graft occlusions, patients with diabetes mellitus, and in the elderly. New devices and drugs are currently being tested for acute myocardial infarction and provide hope for even better interventional therapies in the near future.