ISIS-2 trial

Last reviewed 01/2018

17187 patients entering 417 hospitals a median of 5 hours after the onset of the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction were randomised with placebo control to:

  • a 1 hr i.v. infusion of 1.5 MU of streptokinase
  • one month of 160 mg/day enteric-coated aspirin
  • both of the above
  • none of the above

Both streptokinase and aspirin reduce mortality when compared to placebo:

  • streptokinase alone: 9.2% vs. 12.0% (2p < 0.00001)
  • aspirin alone: 9.4% vs. 11.8% (2p < 0.00001)

The use of both agents together gave a synergistic reduction in mortality:

  • aspirin + streptokinase: mortality = 8.0%
  • placebo: mortality = 13.2%
  • this represents an odds reduction for death of 42%

There was no significant increase in serious side-effects such as intracranial haemorrhage or bleeds requiring transfusion.

Reference:

  • Randomised trial of intravenous streptokinase, oral aspirin, both, or neither among 17187 cases of suspected acute myocardial infarction: ISIS-2. (1988). Lancet, 2, 349-60.