CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA, cilt.21, sa.3, ss.155-157, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), caused by acute occlusion of the infarct-related coronary artery, is an emergency condition. The primary therapy is restoration of full antegrade flow by either percutaneus coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy (TT). Although primary PCI is superior to TT in patients with STEMI, there are many limitations in clinical practice. TT decreases mortality in STEMI patients, but as experience with thrombolytic agents grows, the potential risks of serious side effects become more apparent. The major complications are bleeding, hypotension and skin rash.