Clinically Significant Events During Transport of STEMI Patients

In a single emergency medical services system in Toronto, clinically significant events occurred in 27% of patients directly transported to a percutaneous coronary intervention center.

Regional bypass and interfacility transfer programs for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are now common in the U.S., but how safe are they? Researchers retrospectively reviewed data from a single emergency medical services system in Toronto for STEMI patients transported by advanced care paramedics who could perform advanced cardiac life support interventions including defibrillation, intubation, pacing, drug administration, and interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms.

Of 487 consecutive STEMI patients, 342 were transported directly from the field to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)–capable facility, and 145 underwent interfacility transfer. Paramedic contact times were 28 versus 9 minutes, resp…

Reviewing Author

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP, FIFEM

Disclosures

Editorial boardsKoenig & Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP, FIFEM

Disclosures

Editorial boardsKoenig & Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices