ABSTRACT
Results from the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) I study confirmed that prompt myocardial reperfusion decreased mortality (1). Results of several large-scale trials before and after TIMI I were consistent in establishing that treatment with intravenously administered thrombolytic agents to recanalize infarct-related arteries decreased mortality in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (2,3). However, despite the obvious benefits of thrombolysis, 30-day mortality in the GISSI-2 and ISIS-3 trials was as high as 8-10% (4,5). Because early restoration of myocardial blood flow was shown to
preserve left ventricular function and reduce mortality, subsequent trials were designed to identify treatment regimens designed to induce more rapid and persistent recanalization.
