BMJ 1996;312:1637-1641 (29 June)

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Prospective evaluation of eligibility for thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction

John K French, cardiologist,a Barbara F Williams, research nurse,a Hamish H Hart, physician,b Susan Wyatt, research nurse,b June E Poole, rehabilitation nurse,c Christine Ingram, charge nurse,d Christopher J Ellis, cardiologist,d Miles G Williams, cardiologist,c Harvey D White, director of coronary care and cardiovascular research a

a Coronary Care Unit, Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, b Coronary Care Unit, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, c Coronary Care Unit, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, d Coronary Care Unit, Auckland Hospital, Auckland

Correspondence to: Dr John French, Cardiology Department, Green Lane Hospital, Epsom, Auckland 1003, New Zealand.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the proportion of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction who are eligible for thrombolytic therapy.
Design: Cohort follow up study.
Setting: The four coronary care units in Auckland, New Zealand.
Subjects: All 3014 patients presenting to the units with suspected myocardial infarction in 1993.
Main outcome measures: Eligibility for reperfusion with thrombolytic therapy (presentation within 12 hours of the onset of ischaemic chest pain with ST elevation >/=2 mm in leads V1-V3, ST elevation >/=1 mm in any other two contiguous leads, or new left bundle branch block); proportions of (a) patients eligible for reperfusion and (b) patients with contraindications to thrombolysis; death (including causes); definite myocardial infarction.
Results: 948 patients had definite myocardial infarction, 124 probable myocardial infarction, and nine ST elevation but no infarction; 1274 patients had unstable angina and 659 chest pain of other causes. Of patients with definite or probable myocardial infarction, 576 (53.3%) were eligible for reperfusion, 39 had definite contraindications to thrombolysis (risk of bleeding). Hence 49.7% of patients (537/1081) were eligible for thrombolysis and 43.5% (470) received this treatment. Hospital mortality among patients eligible for reperfusion was 11.7% (55/470 cases) among those who received thrombolysis and 17.0% (18/106) among those who did not.
Conclusions: On current criteria about half of patients admitted to coronary care units with definite or probable myocardial infarction are eligible for thrombolytic therapy. Few eligible patients have definite contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. Mortality for all community admissions for myocardial infarction remains high.

Key messages

  • Less than 10% of patients eligible for reperfusion have contraindications to thrombolysis

  • The hospital mortality for all patients with acute myocardial infarction remains high (14%)

  • Better treatments are required to reduce mortality in both reperfusion eligible and reperfusion ineligible patients


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Relevant Article

Data on eligibility for thrombolytic treatment cannot be generalised
Adam D Timmis
BMJ 1996 313: 941. [Extract] [Full Text]

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