MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Thrombolytic therapy is a huge advance in the management of acute myoc ardial infarction (AMI). The results of large clinical trials over the past 9 years have unequivocally demonstrated its benefit; of every 10 00 patients treated 30 will be saved at a cost of two cases of nonfata l cerebral hemorrhage and seven of noncerebral major hemorrhage. The c oncurrent use of acetylsalicylic acid increases the benefit of thrombo lytic therapy. Sales figures for thrombolytic agent indicate that thei r use in Canada is less than optimal and lags behind that in several E uropean countries. Major educational efforts are needed to promote awa reness of the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy and of optimal approach es for maximizing it potential benefit for patients with AMI.