Preventive strategies in management of acute myocardial infarction

Recent studies on pathogenetic mechanisms, supplemented by findings in clinical trials point the way to a logical approach to acute evolving myocardial infarction. This is designed in the earliest stage to limit infarction through reduction in myocardial oxygen demands, improvement in collateral blood supply and dissolution of coronary thrombus, to prevent in a later stage coronary reocclusion through administration of antiplatelet agents, and then to prevent infarct expansion through reduction in ventricular wall tension throughout the period of repair. Application of such an approach holds the promise of reducing infarct size and all the complications of infarction, as well as short and long-term mortality. The approach is active and aggressive, and contrasts with the approach applied a decade ago, where infarction was accepted as inevitable and therapies were reserved for managing its complications.