Relief of mitral incompetence by selective intracoronary thrombolysis in hyperacute myocardial infarction.

Left ventriculography and coronary arteriography were performed in 47 patients with hyperacute myocardial infarction prior to recanalization of the infarct-related vessel. Mitral regurgitation was found in ten patients. After successful recanalization, left ventriculography was repeated in eight of the ten patients with mitral incompetence, and the mitral regurgitation had disappeared in seven. Selective intracoronary thrombolysis resulted in improved left ventricular function and disappearance of mitral incompetence.