Thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To characterize features of acute myocardial infarction [AMI] in a Pakistani population, and assess the role of thrombolysis in our country, we studied 194 consecutive admitted patients with enzyme positive AMI. Males were affected three times more frequently; women, although affected less, had a higher incidence of complications than men. Premature coronary artery disease [CAD] was present in 50% patients presenting with AMI. An unusually high incidence of anterior wall myocardial infarction [39%] was seen. Complications were frequent with a predominance of LV failure symptoms. Cardiogenic shock was associated with a very high mortality, in excess of 93%. Streptokinase [SK] was administered in 60% patients with suspected transmural AMI. A statistically significant reduction in mortality was seen in the group that received SK [15.2%] compared to those who did not receive SK [24.7%], [p= < 0.05]