Thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction: an overview

Several drugs are now available for thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. These drugs have unique properties and modes of action in the clotting pathway which may cause reperfusion of the infarct-related vessel resulting in preservation of viable myocardial tissue. Critical factors for thrombolysis include: time intervals for administration, patient inclusion criteria, and the necessity for more frequent administration in patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy.