Diagnosing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the ambulance and transporting patients directly to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) center can more than triple the likelihood that they will be treated within the time frame recommended by current guidelines. Bypassing the emergency departing and opting for direct transport also may lead to improved coronary blood flow after PCI and reduced mortality at 1 year compared with interhospital transport, according to a paper published in the July 2010 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
