[Experiences with early fibrinolysis in coronary infarct at an acute care hospital. Second report of experiences with 200 patients 1980 to 1985].

Over the past two decades patients with acute myocardial infarction have been treated with intravenous streptokinase therapy at the hospital in Geldern. Based on experiences in the first study from 1970 to 1979, the second study emphasized instruction on early thrombolytic therapy. Informations were given to general practitioners and to patients at risk for acute myocardial infarction. In the study from 1980 to 1985 the percentage of patients with acute myocardial infarction being treated with thrombolytic agents within two hours after the acute event was 69%. Patients with a duration of ischemia of less than two hours had a significantly decreased in-hospital mortality compared to patients who received therapy more than two hours after onset of symptoms. We conclude that intensified information and instruction of physicians and of patients at risk for myocardial infarction enables early thrombolytic therapy and results in reduced in-hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarction.