Early interventions in the management of acute uncomplicated myocardial infarction

The demonstration that the vast majority of acute transmural myocardial infarctions are caused by an occlusive thrombus in the coronary artery, together with the concept that myocardium can be salvaged for a period of time after the onset of such occlusion, has heralded a new era of management of this disorder. This involves an aggressive interventional approach aimed at restoring coronary artery patency early while decreasing myocardial oxygen demands. Abundant data show that coronary flow can be reestablished using either intravenous chemical thrombolytic agents (tissue-type plasminogen activator and streptokinase), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass grafting. Conjunctive aspirin or heparin therapy (or both) is effective in maintaining vessel patency once perfusion is restored. Myocardial oxygen demand can be reduced, where feasible, by pharmacotherapy and control of the patient's associated pain and anxiety. The beta-adrenergic blockers and nitrates are particularly suitable in this regard, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors favorably affect infarct expansion and ventricular remodeling. With such an approach, infarct size can be reduced, leading to improved left ventricular function--the prime determinant of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute infarction. The in-hospital mortality has fallen from about 30% three decades ago to less than 8% in many coronary care units.