Reduction in Infarct Size, Arrhythmias, Chest Pain and Morbidity by Early Intravenous β-Blockade in Suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction
Yusuf S., Rossi P., Radale D., Peto R., Furse L., Motwani R., Parish S., Gray R., Bennett D., Bray C., Sleight P.
477 patients suspected of acute myocardial infarction, with onset of less than 12 hours, were randomised to a control group or a group receiving intravenous atenolol followed by oral treatment for 10 days. In patients with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes of infarction at entry, intravenous atenolol significantly reduced enzyme release by one- third and enhanced R wave preservation. In patients without ECG changes of infarction at entry, treatment significantly prevented the development of infarction in a proportion of patients. There was also a significant reduction in R- on- T ectopics, repetitive ventricular arrhythmias and supraventricular arrhythmias. Treated patients had greater pain relief and required less opiate analgesics. Fewer atenolol- treated patients died at 1 week, had non- fatal cardiac arrests, developed heart failure, or suffered reinfarction. © 1983, ADIS Press Australasia Pty Ltd (Inc. NSW). All rights reserved.