Physicians caring for patients suspected of having a heart attack may trigger “false-positive” activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory based on test results suggestive of a heart attack, according to a study in the December 19 issue of JAMA.Allowing the emergency department physician to activate the cardiac catheterization laboratory is a key strategy to reduce the time to receiving treatment for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; a certain pattern on an electrocardiogram following a heart attack), according to background information in the article. “Time to reperfusion [restoration of blood flow to the heart] is a major determinant of outcome in patients presenting with an STEMI,” the authors write.
