Adjunctive Therapy in the Management of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Adjunctive therapy for acute myocardial infarction should include aspirin, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, and, in most patients, consideration of the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, especially if left ventricular function is reduced. Heparin has an important adjunctive role in enhancing early vessel patency in patients who receive tissue-type plasminogen activator and in decreasing the frequency of reocclusion of an infarct-related artery during any thrombolytic therapy. Heparin must also be administered to all patients who undergo primary angioplasty. Intravenously administered nitroglycerin and orally administered nitrates are probably most effective in patients with symptomatic ischemia. Calcium channel blockers and prophylactic antiarrhythmic agents are not indicated for most patients with acute myocardial infarction. Currently, insufficient evidence is available to recommend the widespread use of intravenously administered magnesium sulfate in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. In patients with ischemic pain, judicious intravenous administration of morphine can provide relief. Use of warfarin sodium should be reserved for patients at risk for left ventricular mural thrombus. Although the use of lipid-lowering agents after myocardial infarction has been controversial, recent studies have demonstrated the importance of such therapy for secondary prevention of death and morbidity.