ABSTRACT
The early use of thrombolytic agents is now the most important treatment in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The earlier reperfusion should result in a higher survival rate. To determine whether the faster infusion of streptokinase (SK) will produce earlier reperfusion, 40 patients were enrolled to the trial. Half of them received 1.5 mu. of SK in one hour while the others received 1.5 mu. in half an hour. The rapid infusion group tended to have earlier reperfusion but there was no statistically significant difference in the reperfusion time. Hypotension was observed in both groups but more in the conventional group and responded to intravenous fluid replacement. Bleeding complication was low in both groups. Four patients died, one from re-occlusion and developed severe bradycardia, the remainder had cardiogenic shock which did not respond to treatment. It can be concluded that SK infusion in half an hour is safe but the beneficial effect remains to be seen in a large scale study.
