Related Experiment Videos
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction
Insights
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) can reopen blocked arteries in acute myocardial infarction patients. This study shows PTCA is a safe and effective alternative to thrombolytic therapy for reperfusion.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is typically used for angina pectoris.
- Thrombolytic therapy and guide wire recanalization are current treatments for evolving myocardial infarction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use of PTCA for recanalizing acutely occluded arteries in the early phase of myocardial infarction.
- To assess PTCA as a definitive therapy for acute myocardial infarction.
Main Methods:
- PTCA was performed as definitive therapy in eight patients with acute myocardial infarction.
- The infarct-related artery was assessed for patency and reperfusion post-procedure.
Main Results:
- The infarct-related artery was opened within 20 minutes in seven of eight patients.
- PTCA recanalization led to evidence of reperfusion in all cases.
- Residual stenoses were minimal or absent, and the procedure was well tolerated.
Conclusions:
- PTCA may be a viable alternative to intracoronary thrombolytic therapy for specific acute myocardial infarction patients.
- Early recanalization of the infarct-related artery with PTCA shows promising results for reperfusion.
Abstract:
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has, in general, been restricted to therapy for patients with angina pectoris. Thrombolytic therapy and guide wire recanalization have been used to recanalize coronary arteries in patients with evolving myocardial infarction. Recently we and others have examined the use of PTCA to recanalize the acutely occluded artery associated with the early evolving phase of myocardial infarction. PTCA was performed as definitive therapy in eight patients with acute myocardial infarction. Seven of these had totally occluded arteries to the region of infarct. The infarct-related artery was open within 20 minutes in each of these cases. PTCA recanalization resulted in evidence for reperfusion in each case. Residual stenoses either were not present or were minimal. The procedure was well tolerated. These preliminary results suggest that PTCA may be a reasonable alternative to intracoronary thrombolytic therapy in certain patients with acute evolving myocardial infarction.