Mortality, reinfarction, left ventricular ejection fraction and costs following reperfusion therapies for acute mvocardial infarction

The comparative efficacy of thrombolytic drugs and primary angioplastyfor acute myocardial infarction have recently been studied,but long-term follow-up data have not yet been reported. Weconducted a randomized trial involving 301 patients with acutemyocardial infarction; 152 patients were randomized to primaryangioplasty and 149 to intravenous streptokinase. Left ventricularfunction was assessed with a radionuclide technique both athospital discharge and at the end of the follow-up period. Follow-updata were collected after a mean (± SD) of 31 ±9 months. Total medical costs were calculated. At the end ofthe follow-up period, 5% of the angioplasty patients had diedfrom a cardiac cause compared to 11% of the patients randomizedto intravenous streptokinase, P=0·031. Cardiac deathor a non-fatal reinfarction occurred in 7% of angioplasty patientscompared to 28% of streptokinase patients, P0·001. Therewas a sustained benefit of angioplasty compared to streptokinaseon left ventricular function. The total medical costs in thetwo groups were similar. Coronary anatomy (patency and singleor multivessel disease), infarct location and previous myocardialinfarction were important determinants of clinical outcome andcosts. After 31±9 months of follow-up, primary angioplasty comparedto intravenous streptokinase results in a lower rate of cardiacdeath and reinfarction, a better left ventricular ejection fraction,and no increase in total medical costs. (Eur Heart J 1996; 17: 382–387)