At the heart of the matter (From Swindon Advertiser)

At the heart of the matter

5:30pm Monday 18th October 2010 in Local

GREAT Western Ambulance Service is performing better than the national average in treating heart attack patients.

National figures show that in 2009/10, of the 154 patients who received thrombolysis, a clot busting drug, 109 (71 per cent) were treated within 60 minutes of the 999 call, compared to 64 per cent the previous year and above the national average of 68 per cent.

In addition, 87 per cent of the 303 patients who suffered a STEMI (a type of heart attack) received primary angioplasty at a specialist heart unit within 150 minutes of the 999 call, against a national target of 75 per cent.

Primary angioplasty involves inserting a balloon catheter into the blocked artery that causes the heart attack to restore the blood supply to the heart.

This treatment is increasingly being used in place of thrombolysis as evidence shows patients have a greater chance of survival.