Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Cardiovascular medicine

STEMI – a medical emergency. An overview of management

John French
Abstract
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency and patients presenting with this in general practice should be given aspirin and glyceryl trinitrate and sent urgently to hospital by ambulance for reperfusion. GPs have a pivotal role in the postdischarge care of these patients.
Key Points
  • ST-segment elevation (STEMI) is a medical emergency and almost entirely an ambulance- or hospital-managed condition as patients require immediate monitoring and emergency reperfusion treatment.
  • Patients with possible STEMI presenting in general practice should be given aspirin and glyceryl trinitrate and referred urgently to hospital.
  • Reperfusion treatment options are fibrinolysis and percutaneous coronary intervention.
  • All patients with STEMI should receive antithrombotic and dual antiplatelet therapy unless contraindicated.
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