Acting in time in a heart attack is “key” to decrease the damage in the cardiac tissue

The head of the Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Unit at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Dr. Rafael Ruiz Salmerón, has emphasized that acting in a timely manner in the event of a myocardial infarction is “key” to reducing damage to the heart tissue, as each minute of delay increases the deterioration and the risk of complications.

   “A timely intervention is key to diminish myocardial damage and preserve the function of the left ventricle in the long term. When this does not happen, the risk of death associated with the infarction increases and, in case of survival, there is a deterioration of heart function that leads to heart failure”, Ruiz Salmerón stated.

“In a heart attack, time is muscle. For every minute that passes, part of the cardiac tissue can be irreversibly damaged. Our goal with 24-hour on-call service every day of the year in the Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Unit is to open the blocked artery in less than 90 minutes from the first medical contact,” explained the interventional cardiologist from the University of Navarra Clinic, Dr. Rodrigo Teijeiro.

In that regard, it has detailed that the availability of cardiologists, hemodynamists, and specialized nursing allows for the treatment of myocardial infarction through primary angioplasty, the recommended technique to open the obstructed coronary artery and restore blood flow as soon as possible, all after the activation of a coordinated urgent care protocol.

“This organizational model allows primary angioplasty to be performed within the times set by international quality standards, which are essential for improving the patient’s prognosis,” the Clinic has emphasized.