Heart Attack Emergency Treatment Options Explained

When it comes to treating a heart attack, the emergency response can vary depending on the patient's condition and the medical facilities available. In many cases, especially in rural or under-equipped medical centers, intravenous thrombolytic drugs are often administered to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the heart.

Emergency Treatment in Urban and Advanced Medical Facilities

In more developed urban areas or hospitals at the county level and above, many facilities are equipped to perform emergency coronary revascularization. If a patient arrives within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms, they may be eligible for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as stent placement. Ideally, the procedure should be performed within 90 minutes of first medical contact to achieve the best outcomes.

Importance of Timely Intervention

Timely treatment is crucial in minimizing heart damage and improving survival rates. The faster the blocked artery can be opened, the better the chances of preserving heart function and reducing complications. This is why rapid transport to a capable facility is often recommended over delayed treatment at a local clinic.

Availability of Advanced Cardiac Care in China

Currently, in China, most secondary-level hospitals lack the infrastructure to perform coronary interventions. Typically, only tertiary hospitals or higher-level medical centers have the necessary equipment and expertise to carry out procedures such as angioplasty and stenting.

Optimal Treatment Pathways

For patients who arrive at a hospital equipped with a cardiac catheterization lab, immediate transfer to the cath lab is recommended. There, doctors can perform either primary PCI or catheter-directed thrombolysis. These approaches are more precise and effective than systemic thrombolytic therapy alone, significantly improving patient prognosis when performed promptly.