Timing of angiography after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite its limited efficacy in opening occluded coronary arteries in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, fibrinolysis remains the major reperfusion strategy used worldwide. Apart from bleeding, early reocclusion of the culprit artery is a common complication of the therapy and usually leads to a worse prognosis. RECENT FINDINGS: During the last 7 years routine percutaneous coronary intervention after fibrinolysis has been shown to improve early and long-term outcome in six large randomized trials. SUMMARY: The optimal time window to perform percutaneous coronary intervention is between 3 and 24 h after fibrinolysis.