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Published in: Drugs & Aging 11/2001

01-11-2001 | Therapy In Practice

Drug Treatment of Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Practical Recommendations

Author: Wilbert S. Aronow

Published in: Drugs & Aging | Issue 11/2001

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Abstract

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should be administered to patients on day 1 of an acute myocardial infarction (MI) and continued indefinitely. Early intravenous β-blockade should be used during acute MI. β-blockers should be continued indefinitely. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors should be used in patients with acute MI with ST-segment elevation in two or more anterior precordial leads. ACE inhibitors should be used during and after acute MI in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) or with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%. There are no class I indications for using calcium channel antagonists during and after acute MI. Intravenous heparin should be used in patients with acute MI undergoing coronary revascularisation and in patients at high risk for systemic embolisation. Enoxaparin should be used in patients with non-Q-wave MI. Thrombolytic therapy should be considered in patients with acute MI with ST-segment elevation in contiguous leads of a 12-lead electrocardiogram or with left bundle branch block. Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors should be administered intravenously as an adjunct to heparin and aspirin in patients with non-Q-wave MI. Intravenous nitroglycerin should be used: (i) for the first 24 to 48 hours in patients with acute MI and CHF, large anterior MI, persistent ischaemia or hypertension; and (ii) continued beyond 48 hours in patients with recurrent angina pectoris or persistent pulmonary congestion. Long-acting nitrates should be given after MI, along with β-blockers, to patients with angina pectoris. There are no class I indications for using intravenous magnesium during acute MI. The routine use of antiarrhythmic drugs other than β-blockers during and after acute MI is not recommended.
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Metadata
Title
Drug Treatment of Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Practical Recommendations
Author
Wilbert S. Aronow
Publication date
01-11-2001
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Drugs & Aging / Issue 11/2001
Print ISSN: 1170-229X
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1969
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200118110-00002

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