Recognition and Management of Expanding Myocardial Infarction

Excerpt

Many changes in our approach to the diagnosis and therapy of acute myocardial infarction have occurred in the last few years. About 10 years ago, most aggressive interventions were thought to be contraindicated in a patient admitted with acute myocardial infarction; the prevailing approach was for conservative treatment, to give the patient a chance to stabilize. Only in the recovery stage was an invasive procedure such as cardiac catheterization or even coronary artery bypass surgery contemplated with any degree of enthusiasm. Tempora mutantur.

Beyond the evidence that many beta blockers and some calcium blockers reduce morbidity and mortality when given