Use of prehospital electrocardiograms for the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Use of prehospital electrocardiograms (ECG) by emergency medical personnel may reduce door-to-balloon (DTB) time in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred for urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A 79-year-old female awoke from sleep with severe substernal chest pain and called 911 for assistance. The patient was initially evaluated by advanced life support paramedics who performed a 12-lead ECG at the patient's home. The ECG, which demonstrated an acute inferior STEMI, was transferred using a novel, web-based system to Hartford Hospital's Emergency Department. As a result of prehospital communication, the on-call catheterization team was mobilized prior to the patient's arrival. The patient underwent successful PCI of an occluded right coronary artery with a DTB time of 67 minutes and was subsequently discharged four days later. Use of prehospital electrocardiography combined with early catheterization laboratory mobilization allowed for timely STEMI reperfusion according to national guidelines, despite "off-hour" presentation.
Dada
Marcin R
MR
Chest Pain Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06102, USA. mdada@harthosp.org
Hirst
Jeffrey A
JA
Kiernan
Francis J
FJ
Smally
A Jon
AJ
Lundbye
Justin B
JB
Thompson
Paul D
PD
McKay
Raymond G
RG
D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index