STEMI Pakistan; A National Heart Attack Management Program.

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for more than two-thirds of these deaths. It is indicated per the latest information that one in four Pakistani adults over 40 has CAD. The stable coronary disease has a relatively low annual mortality, while acute myocardial infarction (MI) carries a high mortality and morbidity. Though recent advancements in coronary interventions have however revolutionized the management of acute myocardial infarction, resulting in a significant reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the developed world but  in Pakistan, the majority of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients still remain sub-optimally managed. Urban areas are relatively better equipped, but this does not necessarily translate into universal access to quality and timely cardiac care. There is not only substantial variation in accessibility and practices amongst cardiac healthcare facilities between rural and urban areas but also amongst major city hospitals.  Such variations clearly indicate an urgent need for a nationwide standardized STEMI management program to ensure that everyone with an acute STEMI will have speedy access to quality and standard acute care without being economically burdened.