March 3, 2026Open Access

Delivering Lifesaving Thrombolysis for Acute Myocardial Infarction in an Underserved Region of Ghana: Lessons From the First Successful Case

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: 53-year-old man with acute anteroseptal ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a history of untreated hypertension in rural northern Ghana (n=1). Intervention: alteplase. Primary outcome: successful reperfusion defined by chest pain resolution and ECG changes after thrombolysis.

Key Result

Administration of 100 mg alteplase thrombolysis resulted in resolution of chest pain within 45 minutes and ECG evidence of reperfusion in a 53-year-old man with STEMI in rural Ghana.

Key Points

Thrombolysis was successfully delivered to a patient experiencing ST-elevation myocardial infarction, overcoming local barriers.
The case highlights specific challenges in managing acute coronary syndrome in underserved regions, particularly Northern Ghana.
Management approach includes addressing the lack of facilities for percutaneous coronary interventions in the area.
Potential improvements could enhance access to lifesaving treatments and reduce delays in care for similar cases.

Study Design

Type

Case Report

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Population

1 53-year-old man with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in northern Ghana.

Intervention

Thrombolysis

Outcome

Successful management and reperfusion

Highlights the feasibility and routine challenges of delivering guideline-directed thrombolysis for STEMI in resource-constrained regions lacking PCI infrastructure.

Limitations

Single patient case report limits generalizability of findings
No comparative control or randomized design
Delayed door-to-needle time of approximately 60 minutes versus recommended less than 30 minutes
No long-term follow-up data beyond one month available

Abstract

The management of acute coronary syndrome in northern Ghana is constrained. This is because no facility offers percutaneous coronary intervention. Thrombolysis is the only feasible reperfusion option, yet it remains significantly underutilized due to numerous barriers. In this case report, we describe the management of a 53-year-old man with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, highlighting the routine challenges faced in treating such patients in northern Ghana and identifying opportunities for improvement.

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Discussion

Authors

Abednego Attoh

Abdul-Subulr Yakubu

Dominic Akansiadi Akaateba

Journals

Cureus

Actions

References and Citations

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Discussion

Cite this study

Attoh et al. (Thu,) conducted a case report in 53-year-old man with acute anteroseptal ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a history of untreated hypertension in rural northern Ghana (n=1). alteplase was evaluated on successful reperfusion defined by chest pain resolution and ECG changes after thrombolysis. Administration of 100 mg alteplase thrombolysis resulted in resolution of chest pain within 45 minutes and ECG evidence of reperfusion in a 53-year-old man with STEMI in rural Ghana.

www.synapsesocial.com/papers/69a76752badf0bb9e87e06ee — DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.103036

Delivering Lifesaving Thrombolysis for Acute Myocardial Infarction in an Underserved Region of Ghana: Lessons From the First Successful Case

Key Result

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Cite this study