PRIMARY ANGIOPLASTY AND THROMBOLYSIS FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION - AN EVIDENCE SUMMARY

Coronary angioplasty is being increasingly used as the primary treatme nt for patients with acute myocardial infarction, but controversy rema ins over its potential adoption in preference to thrombolysis as stand ard care, This report summarizes the published evidence on health outc omes after primary angioplasty compared with thrombolysis or no interv ention for patients with acute myocardial infarction, The data tables presented provide the scientific groundwork to assist physicians and o ther policymakers in deciding which interventions to provide for broad populations of patients.