Thrombolysis for Evolving Myocardial Infarction
Excerpt
The commonest cause of transmural myocardial infarction is thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery (1, 2). With improved therapy for life-threatening arrhythmias in the setting of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac pump failure has emerged as the principal in-hospital cause of death in these patients. Efforts to decrease mortality related to pump failure have focused on reducing the extent of myocardial damage by reducing myocardial oxygen demand and improving myocardial oxygen supply. Thrombolytic therapy in the setting of acute myocardial infarction involves the use of pharmacologic agents to lyse coronary thrombi and to reperfuse jeopardized myocardium, thereby improving myocardial oxygen supply.
This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.
Acknowledgments
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project (CEAP) of the American College of Physicians is designed to evaluate and inform College members and others about the safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Evaluation of technologies begins with a notice in Annals of Internal Medicine and the ACP Observer inviting comments. Appropriate members of the Council of Medical Societies and the Council of Subspecialty Societies as well as other experts are asked to review technologies. The CEAP statements thus represent a synthesis of the literature and expert opinion and are intended to reflect the current state-of-the-art knowledge concerning a technology. Statements may be reconsidered as new information becomes available.
Article and Author Information
-
↵* This paper was authored by David E. Schwartz, M.D., and Cynthia C. Yamaga, Pharm.D., and was developed for the Health and Public Policy Committee by the Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee: Richard G. Farmer, M.D., Chairman; Richard B. Hornick, M.D.; Harold C. Sox, Jr., M.D.; Lockhart B. McGuire, M.D.; John S. Davis, IV, M.D.; and Earl P. Steinberg, M.D. Members of the Health and Public Policy Committee for the 1985-86 term include Boy Frame, M.D.; Charles E. Lewis, M.D.; Paul D. Stolley, M.D.; Richard G. Farmer, M.D.; John M. Eisenberg, M.D.; Malcolm L. Peterson, M.D.; William L. Hughes, M.D.; John R. Hogness, M.D.; Helen L. Smits, M.D.; and Richard J. Reitemeier, M.D. This paper was adopted by the Board of Regents on 26 July 1985.
-
Grant support: The development of this paper by the Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project was funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation.
-
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Linda Johnson White; Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project, Department of Health and Public Policy, American College of Physicians, 4200 Pine Street; Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- © 1985 American College of Physicians
Most Read
