Thrombolysis, left ventricular function, and mortality.

Abstract

Coronary thrombolysis is now accepted as effective treatment for coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction. The a priori hypotheses that thrombolysis works by restoring coronary patency and that coronary reperfusion preserves myocardial function have been disputed but not disproved. This report discusses the effects of reperfusion on ventricular function, the limitations of present techniques for assessing myocardial salvage, and the implications for future clinical studies of these limitations.