Immediate Medical Response to a Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest

When you call an ambulance for a heart attack, the medical professionals arrive quickly and perform a fast targeted assessment. This includes a 12-lead EKG to determine the nature of the attack. If an obvious STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) is detected, they will initiate treatment, including starting an IV, administering medications, and calling the nearest cardiac care facility. They will transport you swiftly to the hospital equipped with a STEMI kit, ensuring quick and efficient treatment.

Emergency Medical Response for a Heart Attack

For a heart attack, paramedics or EMTs will perform a series of immediate actions upon arrival. They first establish a 12-lead EKG to diagnose the condition. If the EKG indicates a STEMI, they will start an IV, give medications, and contact the nearest hospital that specializes in treating such cases. They will then transport you to the hospital, where a STEMI kit and a team of specialists are waiting in the emergency room (ER).

Transport and Treatment in the ER

Upon arrival at the ER, a nurse will take a detailed report from the EMTs and conduct a series of questions to gather more information. While this is happening, medical staff will quickly administer IVs, pills, and possibly morphine to reduce preload, especially if the right side of the heart is involved. If you are a male patient, your groin area may be shaved for a procedure such as a catheterization. The cath lab team can perform the procedure within minutes, significantly reducing the time to treatment.

Immediate Response to a Cardiac Arrest

In the case of a cardiac arrest, the immediate response involves continuing CPR and defibrillation until spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is restored. If CPR is initiated immediately and defibrillation is applied within 5 minutes, the survival rate can increase from 6% to 50%. As soon as ROSC is achieved, the patient will be anaesthetized, intubated, and placed on a ventilator for immediate stabilization.

Transport and Critical Care

The patient is then transported, either by road or air, to a higher-level medical facility, typically a specialized cardiac care unit. Our nearest such facility can be up to 250 km away. The primary goal is to keep the patient's brain viable, as the brain is particularly susceptible to damage during cardiac arrest. Effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are crucial in this effort.

Therapeutic Interventions

The main therapeutic interventions include the use of clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) and possibly the placement of stents. In some cases, more invasive procedures such as open-heart surgery and coronary artery grafts may be necessary. Despite the best efforts, only about 30% of patients who survive the initial arrest will be able to go home due to potential brain and organ damage.

The process described here is critical in the survival and recovery of patients experiencing a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Quick and effective medical response is crucial in determining the patient's outcome, emphasizing the importance of immediate medical intervention and the role of the emergency medical services in this process.