Abstract
Acute myocardial infarction most commonly occurs as a result of a thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery that originates as a consequence of an unstable atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Early reperfusion of the infarct related artery is a crucial factor in treating patients with myocardial infarction.
For this purpose, primary percutaneous coronary intervention is currently performed. In a small proportion of patients meeting the indication criteria, it is possible to administer thrombolytic therapy.
Antithrombotic therapy is a part of both these above-mentioned reperfusion modalities. Acetylsalicylic acid has long been the mainstay of treatment of all forms of ischaemic heart disease, including acute myocardial infarction.
The administration of both unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin is of equal importance. The article deals with the initial treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients using acetylsalicylic acid and heparins and with its dosage.