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Methods to limit reinfarction and ischemia after thrombolytic therapy
Thrombolytic therapy has greatly influenced the long-term outcome of thousands of patients suffering AMI. The incidence of reocclusion and recurrent ischemia are continuing problems that need to be confronted if thrombolytic therapy is to have its full impact on the care of these patients. Clinical studies are providing more information on the best adjunctive therapy to accompany thrombolysis. Nursing has the potential to improve the outcome of patients by assuring the methods of preventing reocclusion we have available are skillfully implemented. If reocclusion occurs, nurses can identify the event and initiate treatment before substantial myocardium is lost. In the future, noninvasive methods to identify which patients will reocclude may be available. Thrombolytic "cocktails" or medications such as antiplatelet antibodies may be useful and may abolish reocclusion completely.
Thrombolytic therapy has greatly influenced the long-term outcome of thousands of patients suffering AMI. The incidence of reocclusion and recurrent ischemia are continuing problems that need to be confronted if thrombolytic therapy is to have its full impact on the care of these patients. Clinical studies are providing more information on the best adjunctive therapy to accompany thrombolysis. Nursing has the potential to improve the outcome of patients by assuring the methods of preventing reocclusion we have available are skillfully implemented. If reocclusion occurs, nurses can identify the event and initiate treatment before substantial myocardium is lost. In the future, noninvasive methods to identify which patients will reocclude may be available. Thrombolytic "cocktails" or medications such as antiplatelet antibodies may be useful and may abolish reocclusion completely.