Biochemical effects of Streptokinase in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Thrombotic therapy is an important therapeutic intervention which is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in different clinical situations. Streptokinase is the cheapest and most widely used thrombolytic agent. Hepatic and renal functions, CK-MB and thrombin clotting time were measured in 25 patients of Acute Myocardial Infarction given Streptokinase and 25 control patients of AMI not given Streptokinase. Administration of Streptokinase did not cause significant elevation of the biochemical parameters reflecting hepatic and renal functions. Prolongation of the thrombin clotting implies biochemical confirmation of thrombolysis. The thrombin clotting time was significantly increased with the administration of Streptokinase in this study thereby biochemically confirming that thrombolysis had occurred with use of Streptokinase. This book traces the discovery of thrombolytic therapy and its initiation into clinical use and discusses in detail the hazards of thrombolytic therapy. It will be of major use for cardiologists, biochemists and physicians involved in the management of acute coronary events with thrombolytic therapy.