Cardiologist how-to

How to Respond to a STEMI Alert

Time is heart muscle.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Time is heart muscle. In short: confirm; activate; give, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Confirm the EKG.

  2. Activate the cath lab.

  3. Give medications per protocol.

  4. Consent the patient.

  5. Open the artery.

  6. Track door-to-balloon time.

Safety reminders for cardiologists

  • Use radiation protection in cath labs
  • Follow sterile technique
  • Verify anticoagulation safely
  • Follow time-out procedures

EKG · Echocardiogram · Myocardial infarction · Heart failure · Arrhythmia · Atrial fibrillation: see the full cardiologist glossary.

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