Coronary thrombolysis by intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction: acute and follow-up studies.

Coronary arteriography was performed before, immediately after, and 9 to 14 days after administering i.v. streptokinase (850,000 to 1,500,000 IU) to 43 patients within 6 hours of myocardial infarction. Ventricular function was determined by contrast ventriculography before and 9 to 14 days later and by radionuclide studies at clinical follow-up 8 months later. Early reperfusion occurred in 49% of patients, but in only 35% was it sustained. In patients with sustained reperfusion, early ventricular dysfunction was significantly reduced 9 to 14 days and 10 months later, and frequency of infarction, sudden death, and angina pectoris was not increased at follow-up. No serious bleeding occurred.