Thrombolysis and counterpulsation to improve survival in myocardial infarction complicated by hypotension and suspected cardiogenic shock or heart failure: results of the TACTICS Trial.

Background: Sustained hypotension, cardiogenic shock, and heart failure all imply a poor prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (MI). We assessed the benefit of adding 48 hours of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) to standard treatment for MI, in an international trial among hospitals without primary angioplasty capabilities.