Question

For STEMI patients, fibrinolytics should be given within ______ of arrival to the hospital. PCI should be performed within ________ of arrival.

Answer 1

For STEMI patients, fibrinolytic therapy should be given within 30 minutes of hospital arrival and primary PCI performed within 90 minutes to optimize outcomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

For STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) patients, fibrinolytic therapy should typically be administered within 30 minutes of arrival to the hospital. This rapid administration is critical as it aids in dissolving the thrombus causing the myocardial infarction. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which is another treatment option, should be performed ideally within 90 minutes of arrival to the hospital to restore blood flow and minimize heart muscle damage. The use of thrombolytic agents such as tissue plasminogen activator can significantly improve patient outcomes when used appropriately, as they catalyze the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, the main enzyme involved in clot breakdown.