2002 Volume 66 Issue 6 Pages 576-582
The efficacy and safety of fibrinolysis and subsequent transluminal (FAST) therapy were evaluated in 195 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for the early achievement of thrombolysis-in-myocardial-infarction grade 3 (TIMI-3) flow in the infarct-related artery. Intravenous thrombolysis using the optimal dose of a thrombolytic agent was initiated immediately after arrival in the emergency room, followed by coronary angiography and adjuvant percutaneous coronary intervention. A comparison of the thrombolysis alone (n=83) and thrombolysis plus intervention (n=112) groups showed significant differences in the time interval from hospital arrival to achievement of TIMI-3 flow (66.2±23.7 vs 111.6 ±29.6 min, p<0.0001), creatine kinase-MB release (295 ±201 vs 468±322 U/L, p=0.0003) and peak troponin T (23.6±16.9 vs 38.9±25.9 ng/ml, p<0.0001). No significant differences were observed in either 30-day mortality or complications. The TIMI-3 flow at the initial angiography was significantly higher with a single bolus of mutant tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) monteplase than with an accelerated infusion of t-PA (60% vs 32%, p=0.005). In conclusion, the early restoration of TIMI-3 flow by FAST therapy reduced the degree of myocardial damage with a low risk of complications. TIMI-3 flow was achieved at an earlier stage with monteplase and this agent may be beneficial in the FAST therapy. (Circ J 2002; 66: 576 - 582)