Thrombolytic therapy for elderly patients
Article Abstract:
Treatment with thrombolytic drugs, or drugs that break up blood clots, may improve the survival of elderly patients suspected of having a heart attack. A research study found that treatment with streptokinase to break up blood clots and aspirin to prevent blood clot formation decreased the death rate among heart attack patients 80 years or older. Treatment with thrombolytic drugs may have a greater affect on survival in elderly patients than younger patients. Elderly patients who have suffered heart attacks often do not receive thrombolytic therapy. They are usually in worse health than younger patients before having a heart attack, and have other coexisting illnesses. Thrombolytic therapy may be more likely to cause hemorrhage and stroke in elderly patients than in younger patients. A research study found that the risk of stroke was significantly lower in patients 70 years or older treated with streptokinase rather than tissue plasminogen activator, another thrombolytic drug.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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The risk of stroke in patients with acute myocardial infarction after thrombolytic and antithrombotic treatment
Article Abstract:
Treatment with recombinant (genetically engineered) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) to break up blood clots may slightly increase the risk of a stroke in heart attack patients. Of 20,768 patients hospitalized for a heart attack, 10,396 were treated with streptokinase, 10,372 were treated with t-PA, 10,361 simultaneously received subcutaneous heparin, and 10,407 did not receive heparin. Ninety-one percent also received aspirin. Streptokinase and t-PA break up blood clots, while heparin and aspirin prevent their formation. Among these patients, 236 (one percent) suffered a stroke in the hospital. Of the patients who had strokes, 74 (36%) had a stroke caused by intracerebral hemorrhaging, 100 (42%) had an ischemic stroke and 62 (26%) had a stroke of unknown cause. Patients treated with t-PA were more likely to have a stroke than those treated with streptokinase. Patients treated with heparin did not have more strokes than those who did not receive heparin.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Sudden death in patients with myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, or both
Article Abstract:
A study was conducted to assess the risk and time course of sudden death in high-risk patients after myocardial infarction. The result showed that the risk of sudden death is highest in the first 30 days after myocardial infarction among the patients with left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure or both.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2005
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