References
Diagnostic ability of a computer algorithm to identify prehospital STEMI
Abstract
Background:
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accounts for 43% of deaths related to ischaemic heart disease, with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accounting for 25%–40% of all AMI presentations. Given the impact of these diseases, there is a strong prehospital focus on early identification, treatment and transport of patients with acute coronary syndrome. The main aim of the STEMI system of care is to reduce the time to reperfusion of the myocardium, thereby improving morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, the identification of STEMI by paramedics can have a dramatic effect on patients' long-term health outcomes. Ambulance Victoria paramedics play a crucial role in the care provided to AMI patients across the state, with the assistance of a computer-automated interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) to aid STEMI identification.
Objectives:
This study's objective is to analyse the diagnostic capability of the computer-automated interpretation to diagnose STEMI in the out-of-hospital setting.
Methods:
Quantitative data from January 2018 to December 2019 was sourced from the Victorian Ambulance STEMI Quality Initiative. These data were periodically matched with hospital outcome and diagnosis data from the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry to compare provisional paramedic diagnoses with the final hospital diagnoses.
Results:
Of the 5269 cases of suspected STEMI, 765 (14.5%) could be matched with outcome data. Of these 765 cases, 88.9% were correctly identified as STEMI. The remaining 10% were categorised as either non-STEMI or unstable angina. No data were available for 1.1%.
Conclusions:
The diagnostic capability of the Zoll Inovise 12L interpretive algorithm to diagnose STEMI in the out-of-hospital setting appears safe and feasible. However, because of limited data matching paramedic findings with patient outcomes in hospital, no hard conclusions can be drawn. Furthermore, there is no way to ascertain how many false positives the Zoll monitor is interpreting. Further investigation is required to assess the true diagnostic capability of the Zoll Inovise 12L interpretive algorithm.
Over the past decade, the global number of deaths as a result of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has risen by 12.5%, and accounts for one-third of all deaths worldwide (Roth et al, 2017). Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is the largest contributor to CVD mortality (Joseph et al, 2017).
In 2015, CVD was the second leading cause of death in Australia, closely following all types of cancer (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2017). IHD was the most common form of CVD and was responsible for 12% of all Australian deaths during 2015. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accounted for 43% of these IHD-related deaths (AIHW, 2017).
Relatively few population-based studies have examined the trends and types of AMI; however ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accounts for 25%–40% of all AMI presentations (Ghimire et al, 2014).
Subscribe to get full access to the Journal of Paramedic Practice
Thank you for visiting the Journal of Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.
What's included
-
CPD Focus
-
Develop your career
-
Stay informed