Sustained benefit at 10-14 years follow-up after thrombolytic therapy in myocardial infarction
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Thrombolytic therapy improved long-term survival for heart attack patients, with benefits sustained beyond ten years. Key predictors of mortality included age, left ventricular function, and disease severity.
Area Of Science
- Cardiology
- Clinical Trials
- Medical Interventions
Background
- Thrombolytic therapy has been used to treat myocardial infarction.
- Long-term outcomes of thrombolytic therapy require further investigation.
Purpose Of The Study
- To assess the sustained benefit of thrombolytic therapy (intracoronary streptokinase) beyond the first decade.
- To report the 10-14 year outcomes in patients randomized to thrombolytic or conventional therapy.
Main Methods
- A randomized trial comparing intracoronary streptokinase with conventional therapy in 533 patients (1980-1985).
- Long-term follow-up (10-14 years) data collected via civil registry, medical records, and physician reports.
- Analysis of survival rates, cardiac events, and independent predictors of mortality.
Main Results
- Patients receiving thrombolytic therapy showed significantly higher 10-year survival rates (69%) compared to the control group (59%, P=0.02).
- Thrombolytic therapy was associated with more frequent reinfarctions, coronary bypass surgeries, and angioplasties.
- Independent predictors of long-term mortality included advanced age, impaired left ventricular function, multivessel disease, and inability to perform exercise testing.
Conclusions
- The survival benefit of thrombolytic therapy is maintained beyond the first decade post-myocardial infarction.
- Age, left ventricular function, multivessel disease, and exercise capacity are critical independent predictors of long-term mortality.
View abstract on PubMed