As a medical professional with expertise in emergency medicine, I'm often involved in the treatment of patients experiencing acute coronary syndromes. STEMI stands for **ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction**, which is a type of heart attack characterized by the rapid onset of severe chest pain and ST-segment elevation on an ECG. The STEMI protocol is a set of guidelines designed to rapidly identify and treat patients with this condition to minimize damage to the heart muscle and improve outcomes. The protocol typically includes the following steps: 1. Immediate Recognition: The first step is to quickly recognize the signs of a STEMI, which include severe chest pain and characteristic ECG changes. 2. Activation of the Cath Lab: Once a STEMI is suspected, the cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab) should be activated to prepare for a potential percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which is the primary treatment for STEMI. 3. Transport to Hospital: Patients should be transported to the nearest facility capable of performing PCI as quickly as possible. 4. Medical Therapy: While en route to the hospital, patients may be given medications such as aspirin, heparin, and beta-blockers to help stabilize their condition. 5. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): This is the primary treatment for STEMI, which involves opening the blocked coronary artery using a balloon catheter and often placing a stent to keep the artery open. 6. Post-Procedure Care: After PCI, patients are monitored closely and given medications to prevent clot formation and manage heart function. 7. Secondary Prevention: Once stabilized, patients undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation program and are educated on lifestyle changes to prevent future heart attacks. The goal of the STEMI protocol is to provide rapid and effective treatment to patients with this life-threatening condition, thereby saving lives and improving the quality of life. read more >>

Each STEMI System should include a process for pre-hospital identification and activation, destination protocols to STEMI Receiving Centers, and transfer for patients who arrive at STEMI Referring Centers and are primary PCI candidates, and/or are fibrinolytic ineligible and/or in cardiogenic shock.read more >>