Meta-analysis of studies of patients in the United Arab Emirates with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic agents.

We performed a meta-analysis of 6 studies we conducted in the United Arab Emirates from 1995 to 2009. These included 1,262 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic drugs <6 hours after onset of symptoms and signs of myocardial infarction. All patients were treated with tenecteplase or alteplase to induce coronary thrombolysis. Characteristics of patients in all studies were quite similar. Overall mean age was 47 years, 98% were men, 28% had diabetes, 25% were hypertensive, 20% were hyperlipidemic, 56% were smokers, and 9% had sustained previous myocardial infarction. Incidence of adverse outcomes of 30-day mortality (3%), reinfarction (2.5%), stroke (0.4%), or major bleeding (0%) was low compared to global experience with recanalization regardless of how it was induced. There was no incidence of major bleeding requiring transfusion or laparotomy. In conclusion, in predominantly young men in the United Arab Emirates who were admitted and treated early after onset of an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, recanalization induced by thrombolysis was an attractive therapeutic approach.