PORT ST. LUCIE — When a heart attack strikes, every minute counts. For Treasure Coast residents, faster access to lifesaving treatment may now be closer to home.
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie expanded its emergency cardiac services in October with a new protocol to diagnose and treat ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI.
A STEMI is a severe heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to part of the heart. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving outcomes and reducing damage to the heart muscle.
The new program includes upgrades to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratories, additional staff training and closer coordination with emergency medical services, according to a Cleveland Clinic news release.
Treatment can begin before a patient reaches the hospital. Electrocardiograms performed by emergency medical crews in the field can be transmitted directly to the emergency department, allowing physicians to identify a STEMI and activate the cardiac response team as quickly as possible.
“Tradition-based cardiovascular interventionists are ready to apply first-line treatment including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and balloon angioplasty,” said Dr. Jaime Lewellyn, medical director, interventional cardiology at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
The expanded services are intended to reduce delays in emergency treatment, giving more Treasure Coast patients access to specialized cardiac care closer to home, according to Dr. Chirag Choudhary, vice president and chief medical officer of Cleveland Clinic Tradition, North and South hospitals.
“When someone is having a heart attack, every minute counts. Our STEMI program helps ensure patients can get lifesaving care quickly, while also benefiting from the expertise and resources of Cleveland Clinic,” Choudhary said.
Patients with severe blockages or complications requiring additional treatment can be stabilized and transferred to Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, where cardiothoracic surgeons can perform coronary artery bypass grafting. The procedure uses a blood vessel to create a new route around a blocked artery.
The program also strengthens coordination among Cleveland Clinic facilities for patients needing more advanced care.
“The program strengthens coordination across Cleveland Clinic Florida’s cardiovascular network,” said Dr. Jerry D. Estep, interim vice chief of Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute.
“Patients who require cardiac surgery or need extended mechanical support or heart transplantation consideration can be rapidly transferred to the appropriate Cleveland Clinic facility, while many patients will be able to receive lifesaving STEMI intervention at Tradition Hospital,” he said.
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health operates three hospitals — Martin North, Martin South and Tradition — along with a freestanding emergency center and outpatient facilities throughout Martin and St. Lucie counties.
For information, visit clevelandclinicflorid.org.