Abstract
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an acute focal ischemic necrosis of the heart resulting from stopping of the blood flow in the coronary artery. Thanks to the dramatic progress in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures developed in the last several decades, a significant improvement in the treatment field and also reduction in the in-hospital morta - lity and long-term mortality were achieved.
We evaluated the development of the treatment and nursing care of pa - tients with acute myocardial infarction since the late eighties of the 20th century until today. Since the late eighties, the techniques and methods for the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction have completely changed.
Reperfusion therapy has been shown to be the best approach. In the beginning it was based on administration of a thrombolytic therapy, but gradually was almost completely replaced by direct percutaneous coronary intervention in the developed countries.
Nursing care of these patients has also undergone important changes. Staying bedridden for six weeks and strict forbidden of a physical activity has been replaced by early physical activity and rehabilitation.
In addition, pharmacological treatment has been significantly changed - to aspirin were gradually on the basis of published studies added also beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, statins and further antiplatelet drugs. The implementation of the new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the last years has significantly extended our opportunities in the care of the patients with AIM and this progress was reflected in the improvement of treatment outcome.