Tackling myocardial infarction

Abstract

Myocardial infarction is dangerous. Among people in the UK who develop an acute coronary event, in particular myocardial infarction, around 35-40% die within 24 hours of the condition's onset and 40-50% within a month.1^,2 Here, we discuss management up to and following admission to hospital, concentrating on the use of aspirin, thrombolytic therapy, coronary angioplasty, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers.