Safety and Efficacy of Pharmaco-invasive Approach Using Streptokinase Compared With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Angiography

BACKGROUND Fibrin-specific fibrinolytics are preferred when they used in STEMI patients (pharmaco-invasive approach). However, streptokinase is still the most common used thrombolytic agent in Egypt because of its cheaper cost. METHODS 266 STEMI patients were randomly assigned to undergo PPCI or pharmacoinvasive (using streptokinase). Primary end point (death, shock, congestive heart failure, or reinfarction up to 30 d) and secondary end point (ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, or nonintracranial bleeding) were followed for 30 days after reperfusion. In pharmaco-invasive arm, urgent coronary angiography was performed in case of failed reperfusion. Based on the reperfusion time from symptoms onset, patients in both arms were divided into; early (≤3 hrs) and late reperfusion (>3 hrs). RESULTS No statistical significant difference regarding left ventricular ejection fraction, end diastolic and end systolic diameter in both arms. Early PPCI (≤3 hrs) had highest ejection fraction values (56.9 ± 7.5). Myocardial wall preservation was best achieved in early pharmaco-invasive (≤3 hrs).There was no statistical significant difference in TIMI flow results between all subgroups (early and late of both arms) (P = 0.750). Suction devices and IV Eptifibatide were less frequently used in the pharmaco-invasive comparing to PPCI arm; (P = 0.000 and P = 0.006) subsequently. No statistical significant difference regarding complication incidence in both arms (P = 0.518). Radial access was more commonly used in the pharmaco-invasive arm (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION Utilizing streptokinase in early re-perfused patients by PI approach (≤3 hrs) seems safe and efficient when PPCI delay (>120 min from symptom onset) is the other option.