Acting Fast to Save Lives

Minutes can mean the difference between life and death when someone is having a heart attack, which is why the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute made it its mission to provide the fastest, most accurate diagnosis of heart attacks – in particular, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI – to ensure safe and rapid recovery for patients experiencing acute events.

Bypassing the ER

To accomplish this goal, Gill was the first hospital in the region to allow emergency medical services to bring patients with heart attack symptoms directly to its cardiac catheterization lab. Bypassing the emergency room, EMS can rapidly transport patients to the Gill team and reduce treatment time.

At an average of 39 minutes, Gill’s door-to-balloon time is well under the 90-minute standard set by the American Heart Association.

Advanced options

Utilizing advanced options such as coronary CT and high-sensitivity troponin for patients presenting with chest pain, Gill is able to offer the fastest, most accurate diagnoses to better triage myocardial infarction (MI) patients.

UK is also one of the only centers in the region to provide effective treatment for patients with cardiogenic shock by providing access to the most advanced treatment options.

Post-procedure care

Additionally, Gill continues to care for its patients, even after they have left UK. Through the Cath Lab Initiative, all patients treated for acute MI and have a stent placed are provided with free medical treatment for one month following discharge, including supply of medication and post-procedure guidance. By providing easier access to post-procedure care, Gill hopes to improve compliance and outcomes.

Demonstrating expertise

Demonstrating expertise and commitment to interventional care, the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute boasts a deep bench of contributors to JACC*: Cardiovascular Interventions:

Editor-In-Chief: David Moliterno, MD

Associate Editors: Khaled Ziada, MD, and Adrian Messerli, MD

Editorial Consultants: Ahmed Abdel-Latif, MD, PhD, and David Booth, MD

*Journal of the American College of Cardiology