RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Use Of Intravenous Streptokinase In A Rural Community Hospital
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 87
OP 90
DO 10.3122/jabfm.1.2.87
VO 1
IS 2
A1 Epplin, Jerome J.
A1 Wujek, Roger A.
A1 Laughlin, Lonnie D.
YR 1988
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/1/2/87.abstract
AB To determine the safety and efficacy of the use of intravenous streptokinase in a 110-bed rural community hospital, we studied 28 consecutive patients with clinical and ECG evidence of acute myocardial infarction. Twenty (74 percent) of the 27 patients who had cardiac catheterization after treatment with intravenous streptokinase were found to have a patent artery supplying the infarcted area. One patient (3.5 percent) died of intractable heart failure, 2 (7 percent) had ventricular fibrillation, and 9 (32 percent) had ventricular tachycardia. Six patients (21 percent) had minor bleeding problems, and 1 developed a pseudoaneurysm at the catheterization site. We maintained close communication with a consulting cardiology group who provided additional medical or surgical therapy in a tertiary medical center for patients who needed it. We believe that intravenous streptokinase can be safely and effectively used in a rural community hospital.