Thrombolysis in the era of intervention.

Thrombolysis revolutionized the treatment of acute ST - elevation myocardial infarction in the latter part of the last century and has been in use for more than two decades. Use of thrombolytic therapy is widespread owing to its safety, efficacy, ease of use, and affordability. Thrombolytic therapy has several limitations, many of which have been overcome with the adoption of percutaneous coronary intervention techniques in recent years. Primary percutaneous intervention is currently the preferred form of reperfusion therapy in the management of ST elevation myocardial infarction. However, thrombolytic therapy continues to have a role in many situations even in this era of intervention.