Thrombolytic therapy in the Caribbean

ABSTRACT

Over the past 30 years, mortality from acute myocardial infarction (MI) has decreased substantially in developing countries. While this decline is attributed, in part to a reduction in coronary risk factors, some reports have identified improved theraputic management as being equally responsible for decline. Currently available treatment for patients presenting with ST segment elevation MI (MIs associated with complete occlusion of a coronary artery) includes the concomitant administration of aspirin ƒ-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and either thrombolytics or primary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) (AU)