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[Proceedings: A mobile coronary care unit at the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen]
Insights
A mobile coronary care unit (Kardiomobil) significantly reduces prehospital delays for myocardial infarction patients. Early intervention with the Kardiomobil improved treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Prehospital Care
Context:
- Cardiac death post-myocardial infarction (MI) often occurs within the first hour, predominantly before hospital arrival.
- Reducing the prehospital phase is crucial for improving mortality rates.
- A mobile coronary care unit (Kardiomobil) was implemented at the Cantonal Hospital, St. Gall.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of the Kardiomobil service during its first year of operation.
- To assess the impact of prehospital mobile coronary care on patient outcomes after myocardial infarction.
Summary:
- The Kardiomobil transported 142 patients, with 82 confirmed cases of myocardial infarction.
- Two patients with ventricular fibrillation were successfully defibrillated.
- Sixteen cases of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias received successful treatment.
- The average time from symptom onset to physician alert was 1 hour 15 minutes.
- The average time from infarction onset to hospital CCU entry was 3 hours.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the potential of mobile coronary care units to provide critical interventions during the prehospital phase.
- Highlights the feasibility of implementing such services at a moderate cost.
- Suggests that early prehospital treatment can influence outcomes for myocardial infarction patients, particularly those with arrhythmias.
Abstract:
Cardiac death after a myocardial infarction occurs most frequently within the first hour after onset of symptoms and in nearly 2/3 of cases before transfer to a hospital. Mortality therefore should be influenced by shortening of the prehospital phase. At moderate cost a mobile coronary care unit (Kardiomobil) has been introduced at the Cantonal Hospital, St. Gall. Experience and results of the first year of the service are reported. 82 out of 142 patients transported by Kardiomobil proved to have myocardial infarction. Two patients with ventricular fibrillation were defibrillated, with one longterm success. Sixteen cases of potentially life threatening arrhythmias were successfully treated. The mean period from onset of symptoms to alerting a doctor was 1 h 15 min, while the mean period from onset of infarction to entry into the hospital CCU was 3 hrs.