[The prehospital period of acute myocardial infarct]

The duration of the prehospital phase in Austria seems to be in the high range in international comparisons. Various methods to reduce this interval have seen suggested: mobile coronary care systems and direct summoning of the ambulance systems by the patients. On the other hand it has been proposed to start relevant therapy (antiarrhythmic drugs, thrombolysis) before arrival in the hospital. Since a substantial percentage of patients experience premonitory symptoms before the acute infarction, it may be important to correctly diagnose this preinfarction syndrome including the various ECG anomalies.