PREHOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION OF ASPIRIN IN PATIENTS WITH UNSTABLE ANGINA AND ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Both experimental and clinical studies suggest that the prehospital ad ministration of aspirin may be beneficial in patients with unstable an gina and acute myocardial infarction. Experimental studies indicate th at within 1 hour of aspirin administration, serum levels peak and sign ificant inhibition of platelet aggregation occurs, Clinical studies de monstrate that early treatment with aspirin reduces mortality and rein farction rates in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial i nfarction. However, these same studies also indicate that prolonged de lays often occur before in-hospital therapy with aspirin is initiated. Since the potential benefits are great and the risks and costs are lo w, physicians should encourage the prehospital administration of aspir in in patients with symptoms suggestive of unstable angina or acute my ocardial infarction.