Accuracy of a portable interpretive ECG machine in diagnosis of acute evolving myocardial infarction.
From a study of 526 patients having automatic ECG analysis, criteria were established which diagnosed acute evolving Q wave myocardial infarction with 71% sensitivity and 98% specificity. Specificity was 100% when patients with known previous Q wave infarction were excluded. In pre-hospital practice the high sensitivity and specificity were maintained. This method appears appropriate, when other criteria are met, for paramedic-initiated pre-hospital thrombolysis with remote supervision of a cardiologist by telephone.
O'Rourke
M F
MF
Medical Professorial Unit, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Cook
A
A
Carroll
G
G
Gallagher
D
D
Hall
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D000552:Ambulances; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data