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Updated: May 5, 2026

Prehospital Thrombolysis: A Manual from Berlin
Published on: November 27, 2013
Survival following thrombolytic therapy
1John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Insights
Thrombolytic drugs like streptokinase and t-PA significantly reduce mortality in myocardial infarction patients. Early treatment and broader patient eligibility, including elderly individuals and those treated later, improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) mortality studies have evaluated various thrombolytic drugs.
- Streptokinase, APSAC, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) have demonstrated significant mortality reduction in MI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of thrombolytic drugs in myocardial infarction.
- To identify optimal treatment timing and patient selection for thrombolytic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of major mortality studies on thrombolytic agents in MI.
- Comparison of different thrombolytic drugs, including streptokinase, APSAC, and t-PA.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes based on symptom onset time and patient demographics.
Main Results:
- Streptokinase, APSAC, and t-PA significantly reduce mortality in myocardial infarction.
- Early administration of thrombolytic therapy is crucial for maximum benefit.
- Substantial benefits are observed in elderly patients and those treated 6-24 hours after symptom onset.
Conclusions:
- Thrombolytic therapy is effective in reducing MI mortality.
- Clinical practice should not rigidly adhere to study entry criteria, allowing broader patient access.
- Timely and inclusive application of thrombolytic drugs can improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
The results of the major mortality studies of thrombolytic drugs in myocardial infarction demonstrate that streptokinase, APSAC and t-PA reduce mortality significantly. Large studies (GISSI-2 comparing Genentech t-PA with streptokinase and ISIS-3 comparing streptokinase, APSAC and Wellcome t-PA) are currently under way to identify which, if any, of the above agents is the most effective. Review of the results of the reported studies has emphasized the importance of treatment being given as soon as practical after the onset of symptoms. It has also revealed that substantial benefit is achievable in patients often not considered to be candidates for thrombolytic therapy, such as those presenting for treatment between 6 and 24 h after symptom onset, and elderly patients. It is emphasized that important benefit may be missed in clinical practice in deciding who should, or should not, receive thrombolytic drug therapy by complying too rigidly to what were investigative clinical study entry criteria.
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