Abstract
An organized system of emergency care is an essential requirement for the modern treatment of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. There is a strong need to deliver reperfusion therapy as soon as possible, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention being the preferred option if performed in a timely manner and thrombolytic therapy, particularly in the prehospital setting, being a good alternative if the primary percutaneous coronary intervention-related delay exceeds the equipoise. In this situation, emergency medical services have a primary role in rescuing patients from cardiac arrest, performing prehospital diagnosis, triage and treatment and safely transporting them to the most appropriate cardiological center, including interhospital transfer. A complete reorganization of the healthcare systems in different countries is frequently needed to build an ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction system of care, focusing on fast transport, use of telemedicine and diversion protocols to skip the unsuited centers.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.