ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The development of fibrinolytic therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) stands as a paradigm for cooperation between basic science, clinical research, and industry. The result has been the elucidation of the pathogenesis of STEMI, the development of an important new class of pharmacological agents, and the legitimization of multicenter randomized trials as the standard for proving clinical utility. Most importantly, fibrinolytic therapy has been shown to restore infarct artery patency, reduce infarct size, preserve left ventricular function, and decrease mortality in patients with STEMI.
