Almost all patients with major problems treated within recommended 90-minute window
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comHeart attack victims get speedier care, study says
Seeded on Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:03 PM EDT (msnbc.com)
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I had heart attack and went to local hospital. I didn't know that the majority of hospitals don't have 'cath labs' and the ability to do many of the procedures as talked about in this article. You should research this if you live in rural areas. I was lucky as the county hospital did, but it required a transportation from hospital to hospital, wasting about 1 1/2 hours.
in that case you should have been given TPA, which is a medication that can dissolve clots This also should be done within 90 min
Had a heart attack at five A.M., went to Mayo, Phoenix. Into the cath lab, up to surgery and was awake from Quituple bypass at noon. Home in five days.
Well, duh? Shouldn't that be a no-brainer, triage-wise?
kinda....the way it was done before was that a cardiologist would usually evaluate the patient and ekg prior to activating the cath lab
Nowadays almost anyone can activate the lab, initiating response of the heart team, resulting in quicker response times
However, the downside is a LOT more people being sent to the cath lab that are actually NOT having a heart attack. Sometimes this is determined before diagnostic cath, sometimes not.
So this improvement does come at some cost. Well worth it in my opinion, but not "free" or a no brainer, for sure
Hate to be cynical, but with an average cost around $50,000 I'm not surprised hospitals are doing these surgeries quickly...while the patient is still alive.
On the other hand, there are credible peer-reviewed studies showing that heart disease can be cured with diet and exercise...but there's not money in that...so doctors advocate surgery, which is only a temporary fix, and which does not change with any statistical significance the outcomes of those with heart disease. Lifestyle changes, on the other hand, greatly improve outcomes of heart disease.
I'm getting fed up with "modern medicine" in the US because they don't pursue treatments that cure disease or treat it better than expensive procedures simply because they can't make money off it. Makes sense...but it's sad and stupid. We need a better system - one that pursues what's best for people independent of what makes money and what does not.
How ironic would it be if it turns out our upcoming national healthcare system provides funding for basic research that shows promise independent of potential profit...but rather potential benefits for patients. I wonder what will happen to medicine when the profit motive is secondary, and that which is best for people is primary.
Entitlements for everyone! Every man a victim; every sniffle a battle...
As if that's really the choice we face. Strawman arguments designed to instill fear of "entitlements" and "socialism". More people need to ask who benefits from perpetuating these myths rather than being swept up in the emotion of it all.
The US is the only industrialized country with a healthcare system in crisis...where people die every day for lack of care...and people in countries with socialized medicine think we're crazy. They are overwhelmingly happy with their socialized medical systems. I know because I have family who live in countries where they get free healthcare. Statistically, they live longer and happier lives than we do. With attitudes like yours, maybe they're right. Maybe we are crazy...
...or maybe we're just being held hostage by a small minority who either don't care about the best interests of society and thus the country, and who see some personal benefit for themselves in a non-socialized medical system. Or, maybe you just don't understand the things you feel compelled to speak about.
Andrew547...Well said. It's a humane issue. I don't believe though that it's a small minority. Americans feed their self esteem to by denying others.
andrew,
That is one of the most insane posts I have ever read. So you are saying next time I get a patient from the ER having a massive, life threatening heart attack, I should just tell him to do a few jumping jacks?
Your contention that angioplasty and stents do nothing to improve mortality in acute heart attacks is ridiculous. Please stop spreading this false information to people. You are obviously not a cardiologist, and not likely a doctor, nurse, or EMT.
Look up the GUSTO trial. It will show that you are dead wrong
No one is saying don't recommend exercise, which doctors DO, despite your claims to the contrary.
However, I have seen marathon runners come in with heart attacks, along with thin people with no obvious co-morbidities. Diet and exercise can do a lot; in fact, probably prevent the majority of heart attacks. However, many would still not be prevented (strong family history, smoking)
The idea that something invasive should not be done in an emergent situation is an uneducated and dangerous idea
So, I guess when you have your heart attack you're going to stay home and eat a salad? Come on.
So, I guess when you have your heart attack, you're just going to sit at home and eat a salad? Come on.
Everything about this story is wonderful in every respect. However, one, not insignificant, factor should get some attention. As an active member of an all volunteer Emergency Medical Service squad in suburban of New York, on nearly every shift I am exposed to the excellence and speed of the service delivered to heart attack victims by our ambulance crews - 24/7. Each crew assigned to an "ALS" ("Advanced Life Support") call is headed by a licensed, professional Para-medic who - I dare say - is now better trained and better equipped to handle such critical situations than many doctors. The other members of the team on scene (typically an "EMT" (Emergency Medical Technician) an Attendent, and obviously a well trained Driver), represent a synergy of expertise and efficiency that surely plays an important part in getting cardiac patients to the right place, in the best possible condition, in the shortest time possible, to get the best treatment leading to the most successful outcome.
i applaud your efforts to help others, but be careful. You are not better trained than doctors
I took the same ACLS classes that you did
Not to mention that, but I have had extensive training in reading ekgs, something you have not. And a 6 week class does not count
In addition, I can also place central lines, which as you know, are sometimes necessary to administer meds. You cannot place these
I have seen too many paramedics shocking sinus tachycardia with abberrancy into VF to agree that they know more than drs
I'll paraphrase stormin norman and say that the most dangerous situation is when one doesn't know what they don't know
I went to Sharp Memorial hospital in San Diego California Oct.12,2011 at 12:30 am. they did not do a stent I badly needed until 9:00 am . I guess if I would had insurance that I could not afford , I would have gotten treated a lot sooner .