ABSTRACT
Treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) has evolved during the last 30 years and the result has been a dramatic improvement in survival. Early diagnosis and treatment during the first few hours after the initial symptoms is crucial and acute MI continues to be a medical emergency that requires specialized management. The lack of efficacy of reperfusion therapy is related to the delay of treatment and, most importantly, ventricular fibrillation continues to be the leading cause of mortality early after the onset of symptoms. It is extremely important to recognize that in over 90% of the patients acute MI occurs outside the hospital and a specialist in cardiology does not provide the immediate medical assistance. Appropriate prehospital recognition and early treatment before the patient is admitted to the coronary care unit are crucial and have a significant impact on the outcome.1-3 Accordingly, all patients with chest pain or other possible ischaemia-related symptoms should be considered as suspected MI and medical and paramedical professionals should have easy and clear instructions for the appropriate management of such patients.
