16-11-2015-treating-heart-attack
TREATING HEART ATTACK
A heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) occurs as a result of a blockage of the coronary artery by a blood clot (thrombus). Recently, there was a video being circulated (that has gone viral) on social media showing a device called MEGAVAC which is able to remove blood clots in the affected coronary artery. This is certainly not a new concept and over the past 10 years, several scientific papers have been published, evaluating this therapy. Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) has always been at the fore front of cardiovascular care in this country and we do employ a similar technology from other device manufacturers in a selected group of patients with heart attack who have a visible blood clot during coronary angiogram.
The current and well established method of treating patients presenting with an acute heart attack is by primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) whereby patients are immediately taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory and once the diagnostic angiogram confirms the blockage, balloon angioplasty and stenting is performed straightaway to “unblock” the coronary artery and to reestablish blood flow and oxygenation to the heart muscles. This improves symptoms immediately, prevents further damage to the heart and ultimately saves lives.
IJN is a Primary PCI capable hospital and we have the facilities and experienced cardiac team to perform this lifesaving procedure at all times. We have specialist cardiologists on call 24-hours to perform such procedure urgently within 60 – 90mins of patient’s arrival at our emergency centre. Patients with acute heart attack are encouraged to seek urgent treatment which is life-saving. There is a delay from the time of onset of chest pain to the time our patients present to the hospital (average time of four hours) when every minute counts. The earlier the treatment is instituted the more lives are saved and the less permanent damage to the heart occurs. -ENDS-
This release is issued by the
Corporate Communications Department of IJN Sdn Bhd.
Media Contacts
Aina Jamil
Phone: +603 26006316
Email: ainajamil@ijn.com.my
Sali Baharom
Phone: +603 26006317
Email: salimatulakma@ijn.com.my
MEDIA STATEMENT- 16 11 2015 Treating Heart Attack (PDF Version)
