DELAY-TIME BETWEEN ONSET OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION AND START OF THROMBOLYSIS IN RELATION TO PROGNOSIS

In 292 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction given throm bolytic agents, we describe the delay time between the onset of pain a nd the start of thrombolysis and relate the observations to the progno sis. In 3%, treatment was started 1 h or less and in 22% 2 h or less a fter onset of symptoms. The median delay time between onset of symptom s and arrival in hospital was 1 h 38 min, and the median delay time be tween the arrival in hospital and start of thrombolysis was 1 h 25 min . A very strong association between delay time to thrombolysis and mor tality during 2 weeks and 1 year of follow-up was observed.