Connecticut medicine
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Connecticut medicine · Feb 2009
Case ReportsUse 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. ⋯ 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.