[Correlations between results of selective intracoronary thrombolysis and histologic findings of the infarct-related coronary arteries].

To define the histopathogenesis of successful and unsuccessful recanalization following selective intracoronary thrombolysis, coronary angiography (CAG) in thrombolysis and histologic findings were compared in 13 patients who died within four days (mean 1.5 days) after the procedure. Thirteen infarct-related arteries were evaluated in respect to recanalization; presence of an intraluminal thrombus, and rupture and hemorrhage of atheromatous plaques were histologically evaluated in serial sections. Intraluminal thrombi of the infarct-related coronary artery were found in all of the five cases with unsuccessful recanalization and in none of the eight cases with successful recanalization. Rupture and hemorrhage of atheromatous plaques in infarct-related arteries were observed in all of the five cases with unsuccessful recanalization and in seven of the eight cases with successful recanalization. It was concluded that 1) in recanalized cases, thrombi are considered to be lysed; 2) unsuccessful recanalization does not necessarily indicate the absence of thrombi; and 3) rupture and hemorrhage of atheromatous plaques do not affect recanalization.