INTERVENTION WITH PTCA AND CABG FOLLOWING THROMBOLYSIS FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION - AUSTRALIAN DATA FROM GUSTO 1 (1991-3) AND INTERNATIONAL STUDY-GROUP R-TPA-STREPTOKINASE MORTALITY (1989) TRIALS

The patterns of revascularisation with percutaneous transluminal coron ary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in the GUSTO 1 trial patients in Australia are described. In comparis on with rates documented in earlier trials of thrombolytic therapy in Australia, the rates of revascularisation post-thrombolysis increased by 50%, primarily due to a doubling in the rate of use of PTCA. Howeve r, the rates were low by international comparisons. There were marked variations in the rates of revascularization between States, but no co rrelation with differences in mortality between States. The main predi ctors of post thrombolysis PTCA were prior angina, mild infarction and access to PTCA facilities.