Российский кардиологический журнал (Oct 2010)
RISKS AND BENEFITS OF REPERFUSION STRATEGIES IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION WITH ST SEGMENT ELEVATION
Abstract
The review discusses various reperfusion strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STEMI), based on the evidence from international clinical trials. The modern views on real-world invasive and conservative strategies of STEMI management in European countries are presented. The key factor for patients’ survival is the timing, not the method of reperfusion. The strategy of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may fail to reduce mortality, if the door-to-balloon time is over 60 minutes, compared to immediate thrombolytic therapy (TLT). PCI is more effective than TLT only if the time difference (door-to-balloon vs. door-to-needle) is under 2 hours. The choice of reperfusion method should be based on the patient’s risk level. Primary PCI has limitations, since this method is not widely accessible, requires specially trained staff and special equipment. Early TLT is an acceptable standard method in STEMI management, highly applicable for the Russian clinical practice. However, in patients already treated with TLT, pharmaco-invasive strategy could be the method of choice. The description of thrombolytic drugs is focussed on the agents of II and III generations – alteplase (Actilyse®) and tenecteplase (Metalyse®), respectively. Before the introduction of Metalyse®, continuous infusion of Actilyse® was regarded as the gold standard of pharmacological reperfusion therapy. Recently, it has been shown that single-bolus Metalyse® therapy is as effective as continuous Actilyse® infusion, but with better safety profile. Pre-hospital TLT with single-bolus Metalyse® therapy (5-10 seconds) provides a unique clinical opportunity for early STEMI management and maximal myocardial rescue.
