Feasibility and timing of prehospital administration of reteplase in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: In myocardial infarction patients undergoing thrombolysis, treatment delays negatively impact outcomes. This pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility and timing of field administration of intravenous double bolus reteplase in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods: Sixty three patients with symptoms and EKG changes consistent with acute myocardial infarction of less than six hours duration received the first bolus of reteplase before arriving at the emergency department.