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Fibrinolytics before surgery questioned

Rather than helping patients, clot-busters given to heart attack patients before an angioplasty is performed may actually increase the risk of subsequent myocardial infarctions and strokes. These are the conclusions of several studies published in the Feb. 18 issue of the Lancet. The findings are expected to provoke a review by the medical community of the practice of administering anticlotting drugs to facilitate an angioplasty.