-transparent.png){kind=logo}
In this paper, we discuss and critically analyse pre-hospital management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is clear from several large studies that rapid diagnosis and application of thrombolysis reduces morbidity and mortality rates. Strategies that improve time to treatment in the pre-hospital setting are therefore of fundamental importance in the management of this fatal disease. The advantage of 12 lead electrocardiography use by paramedics to diagnose AMI and reduce time to treatment is discussed. Moreover, paramedic application of thrombolysis in the pre-hospital environment is examined. Several studies conducted worldwide support the notion that ambulance services can play a role in minimising time to treatment for patients with AMI. The contribution of early intervention by paramedics trained in critical care is potentially considerable, particularly in the important chain of survival that is often initiated by pre-hospital intervention.
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
October 1985,
Australian family physician,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
January 1994,
Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
January 1973,
The Medical clinics of North America,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
October 1992,
Irish journal of medical science,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
December 1969,
The American journal of cardiology,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
June 2004,
Revue medicale de la Suisse romande,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
November 2001,
Emergency medicine journal : EMJ,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
January 1972,
Giornale italiano di cardiologia,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
September 1970,
Medical times,
S Johnston, and
R Brightwell, and
M Ziman
January 1996,
European heart journal,
