[Effects of anistreplase on coronary patency in acute myocardial infarction]

Anistreplase or APSAC (anisoylated lys-plasminogen streptokinase activator complex) is a new, third generation thrombolytic agent with a long (90 minutes) elimination half-life, so that it can be administered by bolus intravenous injection over 2 to 5 minutes. In acute myocardial infarction anistreplase in doses of 30 units gives a coronary recanalisation rate of about 65 per cent and an early coronary patency rate of about 80 per cent. It is more effective than streptokinase on coronary patency, when given within 3 hours of onset of myocardial infarction. The time required for recanalisation to occur is short (25 to 45 minutes depending on the time elapsed before administration), and the early (24 hours) coronary reocclusion rate is low (about 5%). These results, together with the ease of administration of the drug, could make anistreplase the first-choice thrombolytic agent in the treatment of recent myocardial infarction, notably in general hospitals and mobile intensive care units.