brinolytic Drug Therapy in the Management of Intravascular Thrombosis, Especially Acute Myocardial Infarction - A Review

Abstract

Intravascular thrombosis in the form of acute myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke etc has become a significant public health problem of late. There are numerous predisposing factors which contribute to the pathogenesis of this dreaded clinical condition. Appropriate and timely initiation of treatment in acute medical emergencies like ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) is mandatory to save lives and minimize morbidity. The use of thrombolytic drugs can be life saving if instituted within an hour of the onset of symptoms of STEMI, so also as early as possible in AIS. There is a range of available thrombolytic drugs, and at times it becomes difficult to make a choice between them, due to differences in cost, efficacy and adverse effects. This review article is intended to highlight the salient features of all available fibrinolytic drugs, so as to facilitate the choice for their use amongst the cardiologists as well as the patients and their families. In addition, some promising new drugs have also been discussed, which may replace the existing ones if they are found more efficacious and devoid of the common adverse effects. Keywords: