Thrombolytic therapy after cardiac arrest and its effect on neurological outcome.

Objective: the aim of the study is to investigate the effect of thrombolytic therapy on neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest due to acute myocardial infarction. Laboratory investigations have demonstrated that thrombolytic therapy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves neurological function.

Methods: from July 1991 to June 1996, patients with witnessed ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest due to acute MI and successful restoration of spontaneous circulation admitted to the emergency department were analyzed retrospectively.