Both angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy are successful after myocard
ial infarction and in general produce similar benefits. Long-term tria
ls comparing the two methods are still under way, but some patients ap
pear to have better results from one method than the other. The author
s describe advantages and limitations of the two types of therapy in s
uch patient groups as the elderly and those who have coronary grafts,
multivessel disease, or cardiogenic shock.