Diagnosis and Treatment of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (original) (raw)

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) represents the Priority group of the PAIN pathway. This diagnosis should be promptly ascertained and the proper treatment algorithm (see Chapter 2, Figs. 2.1 and 2.4 to 2.6) immediately applied to maximize the preservation of ischemic myocardium at risk and minimize the acute and late morbidity/mortality [1, 2]. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/ AHA) guidelines on STEMI [3] suggest that all patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a history of chest pain or symptoms suggestive of STEMI should undergo the following: