A patient has an ST-elevation myocardial infarction and a hospital with a catheterisation laboratory is reachable within the recommended time. Which reperfusion strategy is preferred?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention, performed as soon as possible after first medical contact
- Step 1: STEMI means an occluded coronary artery, so time to reperfusion decides outcome. Step 2. When primary PCI can be done within the guideline time window, it beats fibrinolysis for opening the artery. Answer: primary PCI. Why not the others: Fibrinolysis is used when PCI cannot be reached in time; anticoagulation alone does not open the vessel; stress testing is dangerous in an acute infarction.
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