Summary
Aim: To compare the effects on hemostasis and coronary patency of recombinant (rSK) and
natural (nSK) streptokinases in patients with acute myocardial infarct (AMI). Methods: Patients from 7 hospitals, <70 years old, less than 12 h after the onset of AMI symptoms,
with ST segment elevation or bundle branch block, without contraindications for thrombolytic
therapy, were randomized to receive 1.5 million units of nSK or rSK in a one-hour
intravenous infusion. Fibrinogen, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and thrombin
time were monitored. A coronary angiography was performed after 5-10 days in those
patients who gave their consent and did not refer allergy to iodine contrasts. Images
were blindly evaluated by an independent committee. Results: 224 patients were randomized (113 nSK and 111 rSK). Groups were equivalent in all
baseline and demographic variables except that rSK patients were 5.4 years significantly
older. They were also comparable in all the clinical characteristics. Both treatments
produced the same changes in hemostasis. Fibrinogen levels decreased, FDP and thrombin
time increased immediately after thrombolysis and returned to baseline 2 days afterwards,
but fibrinogen values continued to increase up to day 10. Coronary patency (TIMI 2-3)
rates at 7.8 ± 2.7 and 8.0 ± 2.7 days after fibrinolysis were 70.7% and 67.1% for
nSK and rSK groups, respectively (non-significant difference). Hypotension and arrhythmias
were the most frequent adverse events in both groups, which did not differ in this
respect either. Five patients from each group died, one of them (nSK) due to gastroduodenal
bleeding probably related to treatment. Conclusions: rSK behaved similarly to nSK regarding coronary patency at 8 days after thrombolysis
and the changes induced on fibrinogen, FDP and thrombin time. These results suggest
that the same benefit/risk profile reported for AMI patients treated with nSK can
be expected for rSK.
A list of the “Trombolisis con Estreptoquinasa Recombinante en el Infarto del Miocardio
Agudo” (Thrombolysis with Recombinant Streptokinase in Acute Myocardial Infarct) investigators
appears in the Appendix, p. 1608.
Key Words
Streptokinase - thrombolysis - acute myocardial infarction