Introduction
ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is one of the most time-sensitive and potentially fatal disorders treated by emergency medical professionals. The urgency, intricacy, and possibility of life-saving actions in this situation have influenced my viewpoint as an emergency department nurse. This paper examines the basics of STEMI’s pathophysiology, the symptoms with an eye on gender differences, nursing treatments that include the Cath Lab and first-line drugs, and finally, some last thoughts on the essential role of nurses in treating STEMI patients.
Simple Pathophysiology
A STEMI, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when a blood clot forms in a coronary artery, further restricting blood flow through the channel. Ischemia develops into infarction if the blocked blood supply to the heart muscle is not quickly restored. The accumulation of fatty deposits in the artery walls in the form of plaques is the fundamental pathophysiological mechanism causing STEMI (Helal et al., 2018). A total blockage of the artery might result from the rupture of a plaque, which causes platelets to clump together and a clot to develop.
Signs and Symptoms: Differences in Men and Women
Understanding the symptoms of a STEMI is crucial for prompt medical attention. While there are common signs and symptoms, it’s vital to remember that males and females may manifest them in various ways. Pain or discomfort in the chest, typically characterized as crushing, squeezing, or burning, is a common symptom (Khan et al., 2018). Atypical symptoms such as shortness of breath, exhaustion, nausea, or back and jaw discomfort are more common in women. Because of this gender gap, female patients may have longer wait times between diagnosis and treatment.
It is also crucial to remember that not all STEMI symptoms and signs are life-threatening. Myocardial infarctions may be “silent” in certain people, presenting with little or no obvious symptoms (Khan et al., 2018). When this occurs, a proper diagnosis requires cardiac biomarker testing and electrocardiography (ECG). It is imperative that we, as emergency department nurses, be cognizant of these symptomatology variances, particularly in female patients and those with co-morbidities.
Nursing Interventions: Cath Lab and First-Line Medications
When it comes to treating patients who have had a STEMI, emergency department nurses play a crucial role in coordinating treatment and performing procedures that may save lives. Providing quick access to the cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) is crucial to the job. In instances of STEMI, time is of importance due to the increasing danger of permanent damage to the myocardium the longer it goes without blood flow.
Aspirin and nitroglycerin are given to patients upon their arrival at the emergency department as part of a standard routine designed to reduce pain and slow the formation of blood clots by thinning the blood. These first treatments assist in stabilizing the patient and stopping blood from clotting (Poudel et al., 2019). After that, we make sure you have a smooth transfer to the CATH lab so that you may have coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed by interventional cardiologists. The endangered cardiac muscle is saved by inserting a catheter into the artery, where the clot is then removed and blood flow is restored.
Nurses’ primary responsibilities include maintaining constant patient monitoring, giving necessary medicines (such as antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs), and ensuring the patient is comfortable and safe during the Cath Lab treatment. We pay special attention to patients after procedures to make sure they are doing well and to check for any problems, such as bleeding, arrhythmias, or contrast-induced nephropathy (Poudel et al., 2019). Furthermore, obligations go well beyond the material world. During this difficult time, we are here to comfort patients and their loved ones by answering their questions, allaying their fears, and easing communication with the medical staff.
Conclusions
In conclusion, an emergency nurse’s viewpoint on ST-elevation myocardial infarction is one of great responsibility and urgency. To provide successful treatment, nurses must understand the basic pathophysiology of STEMI, identify gender-related disparities in symptom presentation, and initiate nursing interventions as soon as possible.
The difference between life and death in a STEMI situation is measured in minutes. To ensure that patients get prompt access to the Cath Lab and critical first-line drugs, nurses play a crucial role in orchestrating a speedy and well-coordinated response. The technical parts of treatment are essential, but so are the emotional support and open lines of communication we provide to patients and their loved ones as they go through this difficult time.
Collaboration between emergency department nurses, cardiologists, and other support workers is crucial in treating ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We work together to better the lives of those who are dealing with this potentially fatal illness. As a nurse in the emergency department, I am well aware of the honor and duty involved in handling STEMI situations. I am dedicated to saving the lives of individuals who put their confidence in humans.
References
Helal, A. M., Shaheen, S. M., Elhammady, W. A., Ahmed, M. I., Abdel-Hakim, A. S., & Allam, L. E. (2018). Primary PCI versus pharmacoinvasive strategy for ST elevation myocardial infarction. IJC Heart & Vasculature, 21, 87–93. Web.
Khan, E., Brieger, D., Amerena, J., Atherton, J. J., Chew, D. P., Farshid, A., Ilton, M., Juergens, C. P., Kangaharan, N., Rajaratnam, R., Sweeny, A., Walters, D. L., & Chow, C. K. (2018). Differences in management and outcomes for men and women with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. Medical Journal of Australia, 209(3), 118–123. Web.
Poudel, I., Tejpal, C., Rashid, H., & Jahan, N. (2019). Major adverse cardiovascular events: An inevitable outcome of ST-elevation myocardial infarction? A Literature Review. Cureus. Web.