Streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator in acute myocardial infarction.

The use of thrombolytic agents for the treatment of myocardial infarction is increasing. Many community hospitals are infusing SK intravenously and those with cardiac catheterization laboratories often use intracoronary SK and angioplasty. Tissue plasminogen activator is undergoing extensive clinical trials, and reports of this research should add to our knowledge of this new therapy. Recently, benefits from thrombolytic therapy such as increased ejection fraction, improved regional wall motion, and short-term decreases in mortality have been documented. Both the GISSI trial that recruited 11,712 patients in Italy and the Netherlands trial documented significant short-term decreases in mortality after therapy with SK compared with control groups. As this information reaches the medical community, we may see an increase in the use of thrombolytic therapy during acute myocardial infarction. Additionally, community education service organizations should reemphasize the importance of seeking help early after the signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction appear to promote early treatment and potential salvage of greater amounts of myocardium. The long-term prognosis of patients who have been successfully reperfused and the best management after thrombolytic therapy is not yet known. Future problems and benefits from this therapy are still to be determined.