Feasibility of thrombolytic therapy--a one year prospective study

A one year prospective study was conducted on all the patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to determine the proportion of patients who can be given thrombolytic therapy. Factors responsible for non-administration were analysed. 213 patients with AMI entered the study. Standard inclusion criteria for thrombolytic therapy were used. 101 (47%) patients failed to meet the inclusion criteria. This included 7 (3.3%) who failed to satisfy the electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria. Nine patients with atypical symptoms were unable to reach within the stipulated 6 hours while the remaining 85 (40%) patients were delayed inspite of typical features due to inability of the patient to attribute the symptoms to the heart, lack of proper transport facility and self medication. 112 patients (53%) met the inclusion criteria but 7 patients were excluded because of age (> 70 years), and another 8 because of contraindications. Of the remaining 97 patients, 47 failed to receive thrombolytic therapy due to lack of awareness of the benefits of thrombolytic therapy by the first treating physician, misinterpretation of ECG, inability to afford and refusal to give consent. Only 50 patients (23%) received thrombolytic therapy. This low figure can be easily improved upon by the correction of a number of remediable factors.