Angiographic outcomes in STEMI patients receiving fibrinolysis with guideline directed optimal antithrombotic therapy

Abstract

STEMI is a major public health problem requiring timely reperfusion. Fibrinolysis remains prevalent reperfusion strategy where timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cannot be performed. Adjunctive antithrombotic agents are of utmost importance for maximizing the benefit of fibrinolysis. This prospective study evaluates the angiographic outcomes in STEMI patients receiving fibrinolysis with optimal antithrombotic therapy and reported TIMI 3 flow rates of 33.8% and 41.5% for streptokinase and reteplase respectively, that were significantly higher than various prior studies. This data reiterates the utility of thrombolysis in resource limited settings.

Keywords: Dual antiplatelet therapy; Fibrinolysis; TIMI flow grades.