Question Details

A patient admitted to the hospital with myocardial infarction is immediately administered with

Options

A

Statins

B

Cyclosporin – A

C

Streptokinase

D

Penicillin

Correct Answer :

Streptokinase

Solution :

The correct option is Streptokinase.

Step-by-step Explanation:

Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a blood clot (thrombus) in a coronary artery. This blockage deprives the heart muscle of oxygen, leading to tissue damage or death.

To prevent permanent damage to the heart muscle, it is critical to restore blood flow immediately. This is achieved using clot-dissolving medications known as thrombolytic agents or "clot busters."

Why Streptokinase is the correct choice:

1. Streptokinase is an enzyme produced by the bacterium Streptococcus. It acts as a thrombolytic agent by activating plasminogen to form plasmin, which degrades fibrin clots. Therefore, it is administered immediately to dissolve the clots blocking the coronary arteries in myocardial infarction patients.

2. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs. While they are crucial for long-term management and prevention of future cardiovascular events, they are not used as an immediate clot-dissolving treatment during an acute myocardial infarction.

3. Cyclosporin – A is an immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ transplant rejection. It does not play a role in dissolving blood clots.

4. Penicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and has no thrombolytic or cardiovascular therapeutic effect.

Thus, streptokinase is the appropriate immediate treatment for a patient admitted with myocardial infarction to dissolve the offending blood clot.

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