Senior Cardiologists believe life-saving STEMI injections could be game changer for heart patients

HYDERABAD: Concerned about the rising number of heart attacks in the country, the state government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to provide free STEMI injections worth Rs 40,000 as part of a pilot project beginning September 29, 2023, in an attempt to save people from heart attacks during the golden hour.

Dr. Mukharjee Madivada, a well-known senior interventional cardiologist from Hyderabad, hailed the Andhra Pradesh government's novel effort, saying, "This initiative will be very useful if used judiciously. The ECG can detect a heart attack, and if one is detected, it can be treated quickly with an injection known as thrombolysis."

Patients suffering from ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) would be given Streptokinase injections in veins to break down clots in cases of myocardial infarction (heart attack), pulmonary embolism, and arterial thromboembolism under this Andhra Pradesh Government initiative.

Senior cardiologists believe that the successful execution of this project requires ongoing monitoring by senior cardiologists who can swiftly identify whether an ECG indicates a heart attack or not, allowing the patient to be treated with a thrombolysis injection worth Rs 40,000.

While noting how the Telengana State Government had already executed the STEMI programme in recent years, Dr. Mukherjee said, "The medical name of that injection is Tenecteplase. Ideally, the government can negotiate with pharmaceutical giants to obtain the injection at a considerably lower cost. The programme requires Cardiologists who can promptly determine whether an ECG reveals a heart attack."

Dr. Mukherjee highlighted one significant negative effect of these injections, stating, "The injection has one significant side effect as it may cause intracranial bleeding, which can be dangerous. Bleeding happens rarely, though. It is important for the caretakers to be sure of the bleeding risk factors."

Dr. Imran Ul Haq, consultant interventional cardiologist at Amor Hospitals in Hyderabad said, "Heart attacks occur when a blocked vessel ruptures, causing a thrombosis and chest pain. Initial therapy involves opening the vessel and restoring blood flow, typically through direct Angioplasty within three hours. If hospital access is limited, pharmacological therapy in the form of thrombosis injections can be administered, providing life-saving myocardial infarction (STEMI) injection."

"This drug is considered an immediate life-saving drug as it allows the patient to later undergo an angiogram at the hospital.

The Andhra Pradesh government's initiative of offering a free STEMI injections worth Rs 40,000 for a life-saving drug, which can be administered to any paramedic, based on an ECG, a crucial step in saving lives and ensuring immediate medical assistance.

The best aspect is that this injection can be given to any paramedic, however there are several criteria to decide whether or not this injection can be provided. As a result, this injection can be given based on the ECG," said Dr. Imran Ul Haq explained.

Dr. Imran Ul Haq explains that ECG signals can determine if an injection is suitable for a cardiac patient, but cautions against administering it to patients with bleeding tendencies or those recently underwent significant surgery.

"When the ECG reveals ST elevation MI and Non-ST elevation MI when the ECG shows ST elevation MI This injection can be administered, however it should not be given if the patient has bleeding tendencies, as this injection can induce serious bleeding in some circumstances, or if the patient has recently undergone significant surgery. Before administering this injection to any cardiac patient, it is best to follow some specific recommendations, " Dr. Imran Ul Haq.