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Show d A.F. Hospital uses new treatment weakness, andor chest pain leading to the left arm. If you are having one or more of these symptoms, you should see your physician or go to the hospital immediately. If the ambulance is needed, call 911, or the hospital, 76-6001. 1 On Jan. 7, 1984, a 52-year-old male Jsuffering a massive heart attack Ireceived an intravenous injection of Streptokinase in an attempt to reestablish re-establish blood flow to the heart muscle and reduce the amount of heart damage caused by the attack. The procedure, completed by Dr. Charles Dahl, Dr. Dale Greenwood and Dr. Dale Tate, benefited the patient and his clinical condition stabilized - in fact, his daily progress amazed those caring for him. y The new procedure, officials say, a) may prove effective with other Inpatients with acute heart attacks. m It is, however, not a cure-all for ryheart attack victims, physicians Bpoint out, as whatever caused the " clot in the first place will probably cause it again if not treated. Streptokinase is an enzyme which dissolves blood clots, they pointed out, thereby restoring normal circulation through a blood vessel. It has been used in the Intensive Care Unit to dissolve clots in the lungs and in leg veins. Heparin, another drug, has been used for years to prevent further clot formation, for-mation, but it does not actually dissolve existing blood clots. The use of Streptokinase for in-titial in-titial treatment for heart attack has generally been seen in larger hospitals where it is injected directly into the blood clot in the coronary artery through a special catheter advanced directly into the appropriate coronary vessel. In order for intracoronary Streptokinase to be effective, the patient must be given the injection within three to six hours after the beginning of chest pain. In the small hospital setting where there is no special cath lab facility, in- travenous administration of Streptokinase may be of great potential benefit to the heart attack patient. The net benefits of this practice are currently under investigation in many areas of the country. The overall results of successfully re-establishing blood flow to the heart muscle reduces the degree of heart muscle injury and significantly reduces in-hospital mortality. However, in order for the procedure to be effective, it was stressed, it must be done relatively soon -- generally within the three to six hour period after the heart attack. at-tack. The public should be aware of the signs of heart attack and report to the hospital without delay. These signs include nauseu, shakiness, clammy feeling, a general |
