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Published on: April 7, 2023
[Cardiological emergency network in Lombardy]
Maurizio Marzegalli1, Giancarlo Fontana, Giovanni Sesana
1U.O. di Cardiologia, A.O. San Carlo, Milano. Marzegalli.Maurizio@sancarlo.mi.it
Insights
Establishing an interhospital network and utilizing ECG teletransmission significantly reduced reperfusion times for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. This organized approach improved emergency cardiac care coordination and response efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Health Systems Management
Context:
- Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requires rapid reperfusion therapy.
- Urban healthcare systems face challenges in coordinating emergency responses.
- Existing protocols may lead to delays in critical cardiac interventions.
Purpose:
- To reduce reperfusion time in STEMI patients through an organized interhospital network.
- To evaluate the impact of a prehospital cardiac emergency network on treatment times.
- To assess the role of ECG teletransmission in improving STEMI management.
Summary:
- An interhospital network involving 23 coronary care units and a 118 Dispatch Center was established in Milan.
- A monitoring system (MOMI) tracked network activity and treatment times.
- Door-to-balloon times were significantly reduced, particularly for patients transported via advanced rescue units with teletransmitted ECGs.
Impact:
- The network and ECG teletransmission effectively reduced reperfusion times for STEMI.
- Pre-alert systems improved the management of major arrhythmias and coronary care unit preparedness.
- This initiative spurred technological advancements in rescue units and aims for regional network expansion.
Aims:
To achieve a reduction of time to reperfusion through the organization of an interhospital network and the involvement of the Regional Health Authority.
Methods:
Four major endpoints were identified: institutional governance action, clinical management of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), priority actions for cardiac arrest and early defibrillation, actions to avoid the delay related to decision-making, and logistic factors. Since 2001 in the urban area of Milan a network has been operating among 23 coronary care units, the 118 Dispatch Center (national free number for medical emergencies) and the Health Country Government Agency named Group for Prehospital Cardiac Emergency. In order to monitor the network activity and time to treatment and clinical outcomes a periodic monthly survey, called MOMI (One Month Monitoring Myocardial Infarction), was undertaken and repeated twice yearly. Data were evaluated according to hospital admission modality.
Results:
Global times are: symptom onset to first medical contact 116 min (interquartile range [IQR] 189), time to first ECG 7 min (IQR 12), door-to-balloon time 77 min (IQR 81.7). Non-parametric test showed that the modality of hospital admittance was the most critical determinant of door-to-balloon time. The shortest one (49.5 min) was that of patients transported by means of advanced rescue units with 12-lead ECG teletransmission and activation of a fast track directly to the cath lab.
Conclusions:
Our data show how in a complex urban area the organization of an interhospital network and the availability of ECG teletransmission are effective in reducing time to reperfusion, in the treatment of major arrhythmias and in pre-alert of coronary care units and cath labs in case of confirmed STEMI. This experience also stimulated an improvement in technological equipment of rescue units with extension of 12-lead teletransmission to basic life support units. Through the Health Country Government Agency and the Scientific Societies we carry on with our job to create a regional network for cardiac emergency involving all the hospitals.
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