The latest results from a study of the tissue plasminogen activator monteplase may lead to‘a new era in the thrombolytic treatment of acute MI [myocardial infarction]’, according to Professor C Kawai from Japan. Monteplase was shown to produce earlier reperfusion, at a higher rate, than that achieved with alteplase in patients with MI. The results of the trial were presented at the 6th International Symposium on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy (ISCP) [Sydney, Australia; February 1996], along with recent study data from 2 studies of GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists.