ST Elevation MI

General Approach

• In the presence of a presumed STEMI a decision has to be made whether to treat with a thrombolytic agent or refer the patient for angioplasty
• Thrombolytic agents should be used within 30 minutes of arrival to ER if the chest pain began <12>
• Angioplasty must be available within 90-120 minutes of arrival to the ER. PTCA should be considered if the patient has a contraindication to thrombolytics