AN EMERGENCY medical protocol now being rolled out in Bahrain has already saved the lives of 30 heart attack victims in the past 20 days and looks set to continue reducing the number of sudden deaths caused by the condition … because ‘time is muscle’.
The ST-elevation myocardial infarction (Stemi) protocol initiated at the Mohammed Bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre (MKCC) has proved vitally important.
‘Code Stemi’ is used in hospital emergency departments to indicate that a patient is suffering from an acute heart attack and requires immediate treatment. With the activation of the code the hospital jumps into action ready with a life-saving team and equipment to attend to the patient.
During a heart attack, tissue in your heart muscle dies due to lack of blood flow through your heart’s arteries. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked.
Recent cases referred to the tertiary centre in Awali include one from a playground and others from a private hospital, as well local health centres.
“The stemi protocol at the MKCC will respond to anyone and anywhere in Bahrain who has a heart attack,” MKCC chief executive Major General Dr Fuad Abdulqader Saeed told the GDN.
“With this programme, we hope to reduce heart attack mortality and hospitalisation. It will significantly contribute to the reduction of sudden deaths and complications from heart attacks in the country.”
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In Bahrain, however, there is no official data. Experts in the field had called for the establishment of a national centre for cardiac research to aid in the fight against the disease.
The veteran cardiologist noted that 50 per cent of heart attack cases in the country result in death due to delays in reaching hospitals. “The stemi protocol will address this concern because it works in such a way that it responds to cases immediately – the sooner we respond, the better – because delay in treatment causes damage to heart muscles, and time is muscle,” he said.
“We are quickly notified, and while the ambulance arrives to pick up the patient, we prepare and wait for the patient, allowing us to intervene in the shortest possible time.
“We hope to reduce arrhythmia – irregular heartbeat caused by faulty electrical signalling in the heart – and heart failures with this.”
Only acute cases will be transferred to MKCC under the programme, while others will have to reach out to the health centres or hospitals attached to their area. Cases are to be alerted on a hotline 1788960 which is attached to a WhatsApp number where the patient’s details and reports must be uploaded. Once assessed fit for stemi, the national ambulance team will take the patient to MKCC which will be prepared to help.
“We received two cases today and earlier this week, someone who suffered an arrest while at a playground. We opened him up and in two hours he was able to walk back home,” said Maj Gen Dr Saeed yesterday.
“We have received other cases from health centres and private hospitals as well – we just started and it is a good response.”
American Mission Hospital consultant cardiologist Dr Sony Jacob said the internationally-accepted protocol will help further streamline treatment. “Stemi protocol follows the principle of ‘time is muscle’ and the earlier we attend to and address a case, better are the chances of a positive outcome,” he said.
“We transferred two cases in the past two weeks – the process was much easier, unlike in the past – all we had to do was to call the hotline, upload the person’s echocardiogram and personal details and the national ambulance moved the patient to the MKCC.”
Dr Jacob explained that this will help in saving time, compared to waiting to speak to a consultant, sharing records, assessing the situation and then deciding on a treatment plan.
The GDN reported last year on plans to step up health infrastructure to tackle the rising incidence of strokes and heart attacks in the kingdom. This included enhancing co-ordination between the national ambulance team and MKCC to ensure quick response, according to Supreme Council for Health (SCH) chairman Lieutenant Colonel Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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