Testing for Speedy Heart Care Commences

A new system is being tested at the Medical Sciences centre at the University of Arkansas. This is to help doctors know in advance the status of the Chest-pain patient's heart even before the patient arrives at the hospital

This is with the help of wireless transmission that the ambulance paramedics will provide at the time of the transfer of the patient to the hospital. This enables the speedy action of the hospital staff to get ready the catheterization laboratory that helps in clearing the clogged blood vessels of the patient.

The University hopes that this will reduce the overall time the patient suffers from vessel blockages and hampered blood flow. According to leading cardiologist Dr. Ibrahim Fahdi, "Each minute we waste, there's more [heart] muscle that's going to die."

It is named as the CALL system, Cardiac Action Life Link. This system is being developed jointly by University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services. The equipment for the doctor and the wireless phones for the ambulances is donated by wireless communications giant Verizon. This system is a first in Cardiac Care.

The patient's electrocardiogram is transmitted from the ambulance and the doctors receive it on a hand held device slightly larger than a cell phone. Many local hospitals have chosen to participate in this technological endeavor for speedy heart care. Clinical trials have commenced on a limited basis and everyone hope to benefit out of the process.