Thrombolytic therapy in XXXX : Experience at a university hospital in Kuwait.

@entity1 @entity583 @entity6
BACKGROUND: There is conclusive evidence from large clinical trials that thrombolytic therapy reduces mortality and morbidity in @entity583 ( @entity583 ). However, only a small proportion of @entity1 receive thrombolytic treatment. Estimates have varied from 20%-50% in North America and Europe. Data from the Arab Middle East is sparse. The purpose of our study was to determine the use of thrombolytic therapy in our hospital. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 343 @entity1 (358 incidents of @entity583 ), who were either discharged from or died at the coronary care unit of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital during the one-year period between June 1994 and May 1995. RESULTS: Our @entity1 were relatively younger (63% were 7lt;55 years) and had a much higher prevalence (44%) of @entity6 compared to European @entity1 . We observed a high rate (62%) of thrombolysis and a lesser shortfall (8%) when compared to that reported for European @entity1 . The main reason for withholding thrombolytic therapy was non-diagnostic electrocardiogram (ECG) on initial presentation. @entity1 were less likely to be thrombolyzed than @entity1 (38% vs. 66%, P=0.0001). Older @entity1 (aged >65 years) were also less likely to be thrombolyzed than younger @entity1 (42% vs. 66%; P=0.0006). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of thrombolytic therapy in this university hospital in Kuwait is appropriate. However, as observed in other reports as well, the underutilization of thrombolytic therapy in @entity1 and the elderly needs to be addressed in future studies.
