The early risk of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: incidence, mechanisms and possible prevention.

By restoring coronary flow, thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction diminishes infarct size and left ventricular dysfunction, resulting in better early and late outcome. Thrombolytic therapy has, however, an inherent early risk, that of intracranial hemorrhage and, possibly, myocardial rupture. An effective strategy in reducing this early risk has not so far been available, but lowering of blood pressure and reduction of myocardial contractility may be candidates for further study aiming to fight these often fatal complications of a life-saving therapy for acute myocardial infarction.