Myocardial Infarction Quality Measures
To work properly, the heart muscle requires constant oxygen
and nutrients, which travel through blood vessels. A narrowed blood vessel
of the heart (coronary artery) diminishes the oxygen and nutrient delivery
to the heart. If a blood clot forms in a coronary artery it can cut off the
oxygen supply completely and cause a heart attack or myocardial infarction.
Aspirin helps to prevent blood clot formation.
Multiple research studies over the
past ten years provide strong evidence that aspirin and certain platelet inhibitors
(drugs that keep blood platelets from sticking together) decreases the risk
of re-closing a narrowed artery (restenosis) and death after a heart attack.
According to the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, persons with a
suspected heart attack should receive aspirin within 24 hours before or after
hospital arrival.
A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart
Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines found Class I evidence (highest
level of scientific support) for giving aspirin as soon as possible for a confirmed
or strongly suspected heart attack (Circulation,
September, 2000: 102 (10); 1193-1209). Individuals who are at increased
risk for bleeding, however, may not be candidates for aspirin therapy because
aspirin thins the blood, further increasing the risk of bleeding.
Unless otherwise contraindicated, the protocol
at
St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center includes the administration of aspirin to heart attack patients
upon arrival to the hospital .