The results of a national survey show increased numbers of patients who are rapidly receiving life-saving treatment. In the audit, which was undertaken by the Royal College of Physicians, 64 per cent of patients in Britain were observed to have received “clot-busting” drugs within the first 60 minutes. The comparable figure in Wales was 41 per cent.

These two figures are both significant improvements over those in the last survey of this type – which is undertaken on an annual basis – which gave amounts of 58 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. The chasm between England and Wales was attributed to the latter’s more rural landscape; making accessibility to victims that bit more difficult.

In general terms, rates in respect of fatalities from heart attacks have declined; 12 less people in every thousand. On the other hand, however, the report did state that further improvements could still be made. Despite this minor layer of negativity, in the eyes of Professor Roger Boyle – the director for heart disease, the NHS now provides a “high level of excellence” in respect of heart attack response services.

“Clot-busting” (anti-thrombolytic) drugs have been proven to better the chances of heart attack victims in recovering full health. Their optimum performance occurs when they are administered within the initial hour after a heart attack is suffered. When, historically, evidence emerged of frequent incidents where patients were either being denied provision of anti-thrombolytics, or waiting for them beyond the one hour high-performance threshold, the government set specific targets to both ambulance and hospitals. These targets form the basis of its Myocardial Infarcation National Audit Project (MINAP).

Professor Boyle further stated, in relation to MINAP’s success: "The remarkable improvements seen each year since the inception of MINAP are a tribute to the many staff across the country who look after heart attack patients, including the ambulance services, A&E departments, cardiac care units as well as the MINAP team itself.”

Additional comment was provided by a British Heart Foundation Spokesman, who stated that the organisation was “thrilled” about the revitalised state of the British/Welsh emergency services. He added: “Every second really does count in the fight to save lives. However, while the MINAP data shows that the emergency services are making great progress, sadly it's often the person having the heart attack who continues to put their own life at risk. Far too many people doubt their symptoms, worrying that it may be a false alarm or they mistake the pain for a bad bout of indigestion."

Source – Pharmaceutical International Newsdesk