A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfillment of the degree of Master of Science in Medicine, 2014 / The earliest possible initiation of reperfusion therapy is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from acute STEMI. Therefore improving the time to thrombolysis where percutaneous coronary interventional facilities are limited or do not exist is critical. The most effective system would integrate three key components to deliver continuous patient care, including: 1) from time of call for help through to emergency response; 2) transportation to and admission to hospital; 3) assessment and initiation of thrombolytic therapy. The purpose of this prospective study is: to develop a chest pain awareness education programme appropriate for the South African context; to assess safe initiation of thrombolytic therapy by emergency care practitioners for STEMI; and to compare the performance of emergency care practitioner thrombolysis with historical control data.

<p>UVOD: Akutni ishemijski moždani udar (AIMU) je poremećaj moždane funkcije nastao usled vaskularnih o&scaron;tećenja, uzrokovane okluzijom ili embolijom krvnog suda. Za razliku od standardnog CT pregleda endokranijuma, CT perfuzija (CTP) je napredna dijagnostička procedura koja može u prvim satima od početka simptoma AIMU pružiti precizne informacije o lokalizaciji i veličini infarkta mozga, a u okviru infarkta, razlikovati srž i ishemijsku penumbru. Samim tim, CTP predstavlja svojevrsnu pomoć u selekciji pacijenata za intravensku primenu rekombinantnog tkivnog plazminogen aktivatora (rtPA). CILJ RADA: Cilj istraživanja je bio da se primenom CTP ispita koliko iznosi: optimalna veličina srži, zatim minimalni i optimalan odnos penumbre i srži infarkta pogodnih za primenu rtPA, maligni profil srži infarkta koji je nepogodan za primenu rtPA i % simptomatske hemoragije kao komplikacije nakon rtPA. MATERIJAL I METODE: Istraživanje je obavljeno u Specijalnoj bolnici &bdquo;Sveti Sava&ldquo; u Beogradu kao petogodi&scaron;nja retrospektivna studija. Studija je obuhvatila ukupno 130 pacijenata sa AIMU kod kojih je primenjena CTP. Eksperimentalnu grupu je sačinjavalo 100 pacijenata kojima je aplikovana rtPA, a kontrolnu grupu 30 pacijenata, koji nisu primili rtPA. Svim ispitanicima su načinjeni: standardni CT pregled glave i CT perfuzija odmah nakon prijema i kontrolni standardni CT pregled endokranijuma 24 h nakon prijema u bolnicu. Pregledi su obavljeni sa 16-slajsnom MSCT aparatu, pri čemu je pokrivenost CTP iznosila 2 cm. &bdquo;Mismatch&ldquo; postoji ukoliko je perfuziona lezija na CBF mapi veća od perfuzionog deficita na CBV mapi (srţ infarkta). REZULTATI: Rezultati studije su pokazali da pacijenti oboleli od AIMU sa mismatchom manjim od 20% nisu imali koristi od primenjene rtPA, a pacijenti sa 20% i vi&scaron;e mismatch-om su imali ili umeren ili značajan neurolo&scaron;ki oporavak. Optimalni mismatch, kojim se postiže visoka uspe&scaron;nost nakon rtPA je iznosio ˃ 101% penumbre. Pacijenti sa povr&scaron;inom perfuzionog deficita na CBV mapi manjom od 1175 mm2 su imali bolji neurolo&scaron;ki oporavak, u odnosu na pacijente savećim lezijama, a samim tim su bili pogodni za primenu rtPA. Perfuzioni deficit na CBV mapi veći od 3000 mm2 (60ml) je predstavljao maligni profil infarkta, usled povećanog rizika od nastanka simptomatske hemoragije i smrtnog ishoda. Simptomatska hemoragija u eksperimentalnoj grupi je iznosila svega 3%, &scaron;to predstavlja nizak procenat komplikacija nakon reperfuzione terapije. ZAKLJUČAK: CT perfuzija je urgentna i brza tehnika, koja nam daje jedinstvene informacije o AIMU, pomaže u dono&scaron;enju odluke o terapijskom pristupu i može poslužiti kao surogat biomarker u predikciji kliničkog ishoda.</p> / <p>INTRODUCTION: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is functional brain disorder, which is happened due to vascular damaged, caused by vessel occlusion or embolism. Unlike to noncontrast brain CT, CT perfusion (CTP) is advanced diagnostic procedure, which could give accurate information about localization and extent of AIS in the first hours of symptom onset, and also differentiate infarct cor and ischemic penumbra. Thus, CTP helps in selection patients for administration intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) AIM: The aims of study were to estimate: the size of optimal infarct cor, minimal and optimal ratio between penumbra and infarct core which is suitable for rtPA, malignant profile of infarct core which is not suitable for rtPA and percentage of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage as compli-cation after rtPA using CTP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation was performed in Stroke hospital &bdquo;Sveti Sava&rdquo; in Belgrade as five years retrospective study. Study included 130 patients with AIS with performed CT perfusion. One hundred patients from experimental group were treated with rtPA and thirty patients from control group were not treated with rtPA. All patients underwent baseline noncontrast CT of brain, CT perfusion and control 24 hours follow-up noncontrast brain CT. Examinations were done on 16-slice MSCT and CTP covered an area of 20 mm of brain tissue. &bdquo;Mismatch &ldquo;was defined as a perfusion lesion (CBF lesion) larger than the core lesion (CBV). RESULTS: Results of study showed that the patients with AIS and mismatch less than 20%, had no benefit from rtPA, but patients with &ge; 20% of mismatch had good or excellent clinical outcome. Optimal mismatch, which provided favorable response after rtPA, was ˃101% of penumbra. Patients with cor perfusion lesion (CBV) less than 1175 mm2, are suitable for rtPAand had better clinical outcome, then the patients with larger lesions. Perfusion cor lesions (CBV) larger than 3000 mm2 (60ml) was malignantprofile, because of high risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and mortality. Symptomatic hemorrhage in experimental group was only 3%, as a low percentage of complications after reperfusion therapy.<br />CONCLUSION: CTP is emergency and rapid technique, which provides unique information about AIS, helps with clinical decision making and could be surrogate biomarker in prediction of clinical outcome.</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:25:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AbdoFN_TESE.pdf: 1739510 bytes, checksum: 7f520b9c4a32fd74e279d017c0bdd143 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-31 / Foam was developed as a novel vehicle for streptokinase with the purpose of increasing the contact time and area between the fibrinolytic and the target thrombus, which would lead to a greater therapeutic efficacy at lower doses, decreasing the drug s potential to cause bleeding. Fibrinolytic foams were prepared using CO2 and human albumin (at different v:v ratios), as the gas and liquid phases, respectively, and streptokinase at a low total dose (100,000 IU) was used as fibrinolytic agent conveyed in 1 mL of foam and in isotonic saline solution. The foams were characterized as foam stability and apparent viscosity. The thrombolytic effect of the streptokinase foam was determined in vitro as thrombus lysis and the results were compared to those of a fibrinolytic solution (prepared using the same dose of streptokinase) and foam without the fibrinolytic. In vitro tests were conducted using fresh clots were weighed and placed in test tubes kept at 37 ? C. All the samples were injected intrathrombus using a multiperforated catheter. The results showed that both foam stability and apparent viscosity increased with the increase in the CO2:albumin solution ratio and therefore, the ratio of 3:1 was used for the incorporation of streptokinase. The results of thrombus lysis showed that the streptokinase foam presented the highest thrombolytic activity (44.78 ? 9.97%) when compared to those of the streptokinase solution (32.07 ? 3.41%) and the foam without the drug (19.2 ? 7.19%). We conclude that fibrinolytic foam showed statistically significant results regarding the enhancement of the lytic activity of streptokinase compared to the effect of the prepared saline solution, thus it can be a promising alternative in the treatment of thrombosis. However, in vivo studies are needed in order to corroborate the results obtained in vitro / Uma espuma foi desenvolvida como novo ve?culo para a estreptoquinase com vistas a aumentar a ?rea de contato e o tempo de perman?ncia junto ao trombo, de modo a se obter maior efici?ncia terap?utica em doses menores, diminuindo suas potenciais complica??es hemorr?gicas. A espuma fibrinol?tica foi preparada com CO2, albumina humana e estreptoquinase, em dispositivo desenvolvido para tal fim, com diferentes raz?es de fases g?s/l?quido. Ensaios de estabilidade e viscosidade aparente foram realizados para caracteriza??o das espumas e a escolha da mais est?vel. A estreptoquinase em dose total reduzida (100.000 UI) foi utilizada como fibrinol?tico veiculado em 1 mL de espuma e em solu??o salina isot?nica (0,9%). A espuma sem fibrinol?tico tamb?m foi utilizada como comparativo. Testes in vitro foram realizados utilizando-se co?gulos frescos, que foram pesados e colocados em tubos de ensaio mantidos a 37?C. As espumas com e sem fibrinol?tico e a solu??o fibrinol?tica foram testadas por aplica??o intraco?gulo em doses id?nticas atrav?s de cateter multiperfurado e pistola de inje??o. Os resultados in vitro evidenciaram atrav?s da diminui??o dos pesos dos co?gulos, que a espuma trombol?tica apresentou atividade l?tica de 44,78 ? 9,97%, enquanto as mesmas doses da estreptoquinase em solu??o salina isot?nica promoveram 32,07 ?3,41% de lise dos co?gulos. Na espuma sem fibrinol?tico a redu??o do trombo foi de 19,2 ? 7,19%. Conclui-se que a espuma fibrinol?tica apresentou resultados estatisticamente significativos no tocante ? potencializa??o da atividade l?tica da estreptoquinase, quando comparado ao efeito da solu??o preparada com solu??o salina, podendo ser uma alternativa promissora nos tratamentos das tromboses. Os dados obtidos sinalizam para necessidade de estudos in vivo para comprova??o dos obtidos nos in vitro

The advent of intravenous thrombolytic agents has revolutiontzed the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction and has dramatically altered the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. The aims of this study in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction and treated with thrombolytic agents are: 1. To evaluate the efficacy of thrombolytic agents used at Groote Schuur Hospital in terms of (a) patency of the infarct related artery; ( b) short and long-term mortality. 2. To assess the feasibility and safety of combining intravenous beta-adrenergic blockade with intravenous thrombolytic therapy in patients presenting with acute nyocardial infarction. 3. To assess the need for coronary angiography in all patients treated with thrombolytic agents for acute myocardial infarction. 4. To assess the effect on mortality of offering coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting only to those patients manifesting spontaneous or inducible ischaemia post infarction.

O uso intravenoso do ativador tecidual do plasminogênio está aprovado para o tratamento do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico há alguns anos e estão publicadas diretrizes e recomendações para o seu uso. O atendimento hospitalar precisa ser organizado a fim de tornar esse tratamento exeqüível e seguro, alcançando os resultados esperados. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a exeqüibilidade e a segurança do tratamento trombolítico intravenoso nos pacientes tratados pela Clínica Neurológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, assim como avaliar as características desses pacientes, sua evolução clínica, as complicações do tratamento e os preditores prognósticos. Também foi avaliado o desempenho do atendimento hospitalar, através da análise do tempo das diversas etapas do atendimento, em quatro diferentes grupos de pacientes com base no local do primeiro atendimento médico. Foram tratados 51 pacientes entre Junho de 1998 e Agosto de 2005, primeiramente atendidos no Pronto Socorro de Neurologia (22 pacientes), Instituto do Coração (22 pacientes) e enfermarias do Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (3 pacientes), assim como no Hospital Universitário (4 pacientes). Os tempos do atendimento, representados por suas respectivas medianas, foram: entre o ictus e a admissão (55 minutos); entre a admissão e a análise da tomografia computadorizada de crânio (35 minutos); entre a admissão e o início do tratamento trombolítico (90 minutos) e entre o ictus e o início do tratamento trombolítico (160 minutos). De uma maneira geral, o desempenho do atendimento melhorou durante o período do estudo. Entretanto, a análise comparativa dos grupos revelou que os tempos entre a admissão e a análise da tomografia computadorizada de crânio e entre a admissão e o início do tratamento trombolítico foram maiores no Instituto do Coração (p = 0,002 e p = 0,01, respectivamente) do que no Pronto Socorro de Neurologia e Hospital Universitário. O principal mecanismo causador do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico foi embolia de origem cardíaca (54%). A maioria dos pacientes tratados chegou ao hospital com déficits neurológicos graves (mediana 17 na Escala de AVC do NIH). Resultado funcional excelente em 3 meses, definido como pontuações 0 ou 1 na Escala de Rankin modificada, foi observado em 29% dos casos e hemorragia cerebral sintomática em 6% dos casos. Em conclusão, o tratamento trombolítico intravenoso com ativador tecidual do plasminogênio no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo foi exeqüível e seguro. A intensidade do déficit neurológico na admissão, mensurada pela Escala de AVC do NIH e a redução igual ou maior que quatro pontos nesta escala em 24 horas foram preditores prognósticos independentes. / Intravenous use of tissue plasminogen activator has been approved for acute ischemic stroke treatment for some years and guidelines and recommendations about its use have been published. Hospital attendance needs to be organized in order to become this treatment feasible and safe, reaching the expected results. The objective of this study was verify feasibility and safety of intravenous thrombolytic therapy in patients who were treated at Neurology Department of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo as well evaluating characteristics of these patients, their clinical outcome, complications of therapy and outcome predictors. Hospital attendance performance was also evaluated through time analysis of several steps of attendance in four different patient groups based on the place of the first medical attendance. Fifty one patients were treated between June 1998 and August 2005, primarily attended at Neurology Emergency Department (22 patients), Heart Institute (22 patients) and wards of Central Institute of Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (3 patients) as well at University Hospital (4 patients). Attendance times, represented by its median were: between symptoms onset and hospital admission (55 minutes); between hospital admission and computed cranial tomography analysis (35 minutes); between hospital admission and thrombolytic therapy onset (90 minutes) and between symptoms onset and thrombolytic therapy onset (160 minutes). As a general rule, hospital attendance performance improved during study period. However, comparative analysis of groups disclosed that time between hospital admission and computed cranial tomography analysis as well time between hospital admission and thrombolytic therapy onset were longer at Heart Institute (p = 0,002 and p = 0,01, respectively) than at Neurology Emergency Department and University Hospital. The main acute ischemic stroke mechanism was cardiac emboli (54%). Most of treated patients arrived at hospital with serious neurologic impairment (NIH Stroke Scale median 17). Excellent functional outcome in 3 months, defined as scoring 0 or 1 by modified Rankin Scale was observed in 29% and symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage in 6% of the cases. In conclusion, intravenous thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo was feasible and safe. The intensity of the neurological impairment at hospital admission, as measured by NIH Stroke Scale, and four-point or more score reduction on this scale at 24 hours were independent outcome predictors.

L'IRM joue un rôle important dans l'évaluation de l'AVC ischémique et la détermination des stratégies de traitement. L'IRM de diffusion et l’IRM de perfusion sont deux séquences essentielles dans l'évaluation de l'AVC ischémique. L'objectif principal de ce travail était d'explorer le rôle prédictif de l'IRM dans l'AVC ischémique, y compris le rôle des paramètres dérivés de l'IRM dans la prédiction de la viabilité des tissus ; la relation entre le volume lésionnel ischémique pré-traitement et le résultat fonctionnel ainsi que l'efficacité de la thrombectomie mécanique ; l'impact de la localisation ischémique pré-traitement sur le résultat fonctionnel après une thrombectomie mécanique. Nos résultats ont montré que le coefficient de diffusion apparent et le débit sanguin cérébral relatif étaient des candidats potentiels pour prédire la viabilité des tissus ; le volume lésionnel de prétraitement était un prédicteur indépendant pour le résultat fonctionnel ; le bénéfice clinique de l'adjonction de la thrombectomie mécanique à la thrombolyse diminuait avec l'augmentation du volume lésionnel; les patients ayant un gros volume lésionnel peuvent encore bénéficier du traitement ; la localisation ischémique a fourni également des informations pronostics importantes pour le résultat fonctionnel. Les résultats globaux de la thèse ont permis de mieux comprendre le rôle de l'IRM dans l'évaluation de l'AVC ischémique aigu, en particulier chez les patients traités par thrombectomie mécanique. Notre travail a fourni une nouvelle perspective dans l'application clinique de l'IRM et a permis de suggérer de futures recherches sur l'imagerie cérébrale ischémique / MRI plays an important role in evaluating ischemic stroke and determining the treatment strategies. Diffusion weighted imaging and perfusion weighted imaging are two essential sequences in ischemic stroke assessment. The principal objective of this work was to study the predictive role of MRI in ischemic stroke, including the role of MRI-derived parameters in tissue viability prediction; the relationship of the ischemic lesional volume and the functional outcome and mechanical thrombectomy efficacy; and the impact of the pretreatment ischemic location on functional outcome after mechanical thrombectomy. Our results suggested that apparent diffusion coefficient and relative cerebral blood flow were potential candidates to predict tissue viability; pretreatment lesional volume was an independent predictor for functional outcome; the clinical benefit of adding mechanical thrombectomy to thrombolysis decreased with the increase of lesional volume; however, patients with large lesional volume could still benefit from reperfusion treatment; the pretreatment ischemic location provided important prognostic information for functional outcome. The overall results of the thesis provided a better understanding of the role of MRI in acute ischemic stroke assessment, especially in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Our work provided new perspective in clinical application of MRI and suggested future research of ischemic stroke imaging

O uso intravenoso do ativador tecidual do plasminogênio está aprovado para o tratamento do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico há alguns anos e estão publicadas diretrizes e recomendações para o seu uso. O atendimento hospitalar precisa ser organizado a fim de tornar esse tratamento exeqüível e seguro, alcançando os resultados esperados. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a exeqüibilidade e a segurança do tratamento trombolítico intravenoso nos pacientes tratados pela Clínica Neurológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, assim como avaliar as características desses pacientes, sua evolução clínica, as complicações do tratamento e os preditores prognósticos. Também foi avaliado o desempenho do atendimento hospitalar, através da análise do tempo das diversas etapas do atendimento, em quatro diferentes grupos de pacientes com base no local do primeiro atendimento médico. Foram tratados 51 pacientes entre Junho de 1998 e Agosto de 2005, primeiramente atendidos no Pronto Socorro de Neurologia (22 pacientes), Instituto do Coração (22 pacientes) e enfermarias do Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (3 pacientes), assim como no Hospital Universitário (4 pacientes). Os tempos do atendimento, representados por suas respectivas medianas, foram: entre o ictus e a admissão (55 minutos); entre a admissão e a análise da tomografia computadorizada de crânio (35 minutos); entre a admissão e o início do tratamento trombolítico (90 minutos) e entre o ictus e o início do tratamento trombolítico (160 minutos). De uma maneira geral, o desempenho do atendimento melhorou durante o período do estudo. Entretanto, a análise comparativa dos grupos revelou que os tempos entre a admissão e a análise da tomografia computadorizada de crânio e entre a admissão e o início do tratamento trombolítico foram maiores no Instituto do Coração (p = 0,002 e p = 0,01, respectivamente) do que no Pronto Socorro de Neurologia e Hospital Universitário. O principal mecanismo causador do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico foi embolia de origem cardíaca (54%). A maioria dos pacientes tratados chegou ao hospital com déficits neurológicos graves (mediana 17 na Escala de AVC do NIH). Resultado funcional excelente em 3 meses, definido como pontuações 0 ou 1 na Escala de Rankin modificada, foi observado em 29% dos casos e hemorragia cerebral sintomática em 6% dos casos. Em conclusão, o tratamento trombolítico intravenoso com ativador tecidual do plasminogênio no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo foi exeqüível e seguro. A intensidade do déficit neurológico na admissão, mensurada pela Escala de AVC do NIH e a redução igual ou maior que quatro pontos nesta escala em 24 horas foram preditores prognósticos independentes. / Intravenous use of tissue plasminogen activator has been approved for acute ischemic stroke treatment for some years and guidelines and recommendations about its use have been published. Hospital attendance needs to be organized in order to become this treatment feasible and safe, reaching the expected results. The objective of this study was verify feasibility and safety of intravenous thrombolytic therapy in patients who were treated at Neurology Department of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo as well evaluating characteristics of these patients, their clinical outcome, complications of therapy and outcome predictors. Hospital attendance performance was also evaluated through time analysis of several steps of attendance in four different patient groups based on the place of the first medical attendance. Fifty one patients were treated between June 1998 and August 2005, primarily attended at Neurology Emergency Department (22 patients), Heart Institute (22 patients) and wards of Central Institute of Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (3 patients) as well at University Hospital (4 patients). Attendance times, represented by its median were: between symptoms onset and hospital admission (55 minutes); between hospital admission and computed cranial tomography analysis (35 minutes); between hospital admission and thrombolytic therapy onset (90 minutes) and between symptoms onset and thrombolytic therapy onset (160 minutes). As a general rule, hospital attendance performance improved during study period. However, comparative analysis of groups disclosed that time between hospital admission and computed cranial tomography analysis as well time between hospital admission and thrombolytic therapy onset were longer at Heart Institute (p = 0,002 and p = 0,01, respectively) than at Neurology Emergency Department and University Hospital. The main acute ischemic stroke mechanism was cardiac emboli (54%). Most of treated patients arrived at hospital with serious neurologic impairment (NIH Stroke Scale median 17). Excellent functional outcome in 3 months, defined as scoring 0 or 1 by modified Rankin Scale was observed in 29% and symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage in 6% of the cases. In conclusion, intravenous thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo was feasible and safe. The intensity of the neurological impairment at hospital admission, as measured by NIH Stroke Scale, and four-point or more score reduction on this scale at 24 hours were independent outcome predictors.

This study addresses the specific barriers related to time delays in the treatment of patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction at the Al Ain Hospital accident and emergency unit in the United Arab Emirates. A comprehensive background of the UAE is given for the benefit of students who have limited access to the background and challenges facing medical and nursing personnel in providing thrombolythic therapy to patients who suffered from acute myocardial infarction. The study will contribute to the continuous quality management and improvement of overall nursing and medical care of the AMI patient who is eligible for thrombolysis. An extensive literature review addresses the clinical manifestations and treatment of the patient suffering from AMI as well as the adverse effects of time delays in treatment during the acute phase of the disease. The researcher selected a quantitative, non-experimental descriptive and retrospective study. Data was collected by a structured instrument to gather the desired responses from the files of 457 selected patients admitted to the Al Ain Hospital. This study emphasizes the need to improve patient care by all health care personnel in an accident and emergency unit to prevent the delays in treatment in life threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction ensuring optimal and prompt time to thrombolyse. The improvement of awareness and commitment by health care providers such as nurses, doctors and ambulance personnel, can be achieved through education and training, commitment and dedication, absolute cooperation, collaboration and constant update on performance. Regular audits are essential with regard to door-to-needle time and performance of all health care providers. This study ultimately show that time constrains in attending to patients presenting with myocardial infarction should be addressed in utmost urgency. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

This study addresses the specific barriers related to time delays in the treatment of patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction at the Al Ain Hospital accident and emergency unit in the United Arab Emirates. A comprehensive background of the UAE is given for the benefit of students who have limited access to the background and challenges facing medical and nursing personnel in providing thrombolythic therapy to patients who suffered from acute myocardial infarction. The study will contribute to the continuous quality management and improvement of overall nursing and medical care of the AMI patient who is eligible for thrombolysis. An extensive literature review addresses the clinical manifestations and treatment of the patient suffering from AMI as well as the adverse effects of time delays in treatment during the acute phase of the disease. The researcher selected a quantitative, non-experimental descriptive and retrospective study. Data was collected by a structured instrument to gather the desired responses from the files of 457 selected patients admitted to the Al Ain Hospital. This study emphasizes the need to improve patient care by all health care personnel in an accident and emergency unit to prevent the delays in treatment in life threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction ensuring optimal and prompt time to thrombolyse. The improvement of awareness and commitment by health care providers such as nurses, doctors and ambulance personnel, can be achieved through education and training, commitment and dedication, absolute cooperation, collaboration and constant update on performance. Regular audits are essential with regard to door-to-needle time and performance of all health care providers. This study ultimately show that time constrains in attending to patients presenting with myocardial infarction should be addressed in utmost urgency. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)