Effects of thrombolytic therapy on evolution of mitral regurgitation in patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction

Forty patients with first inferior wall MI were prospectively studied. Thrombolytic therapy [i.v. Streptokinase] was administered to 20 patients [SK group]. The other 20 patients [control group] received the conventional treatment for acute MI, but not streptokinase as they were not candidates for reperfusion therapy due to either late arrival or contraindications. Doppler echocardiography was performed one week after acute MI and repeated one month later aiming at studying MR and left ventricular function [LV]. Significant MR was defined as moderate or severe. Only p value < 0.05 was considered significant. It was concluded that thrombolytic therapy in inferior MI has beneficial effects, it reduces the incidence and severity of MR, preserves LV function and improves survival. In view of the present findings, the study supported the use of thrombolytic therapy in patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction