Early cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiography in acute myocardial infarction.

79 consecutive patients with documented acute myocardial infarction were admitted. 29 of these patients underwent early cardiac catheterisation, coronary arteriography and intracoronary streptokinase injection usually in response to post-myocardial infarction angina. Satisfactory reperfusion occurred in 80% of the patients with the least morbidity and mortality rate compared with medically anticoagulation treated group. 32 patients underwent elective catheterisation and coronary angiography between 1-16 days (average 7.6 days). 18 patients were not catheterised at all. This study evaluates our results of early thrombolytic, angioplastic or surgical revascularisation, and reviews the risk benefit value of early cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiography in patients with acute myocardial infarction.