The implementation is based on a ‘hub and spoke paradigm, in which spoken centers such as sub-districts and rural hospitals identify and treat patients at their level or refer them to a ‘hub’ center such as a private tertiary hospital or medical college for further care. Currently, 145 spoke and 38 hub centers are ready for the program.
Mumbai: An artificial intelligence-aided initiative to detect and treat heart attacks within the golden hour has begun in 12 districts across Maharashtra.
It has been under development since 2020 as part of a national goal to prevent cardiac fatalities. It has assisted in the diagnosis of approximately 2,200 heart attacks in just over a year.
The (STEMI) research aims to detect heart attacks in people who are admitted to public health centers with acute chest discomfort. The implementation is based on a “hub and spoke” paradigm, in which “spoke” centers such as sub-districts and rural hospitals would identify and treat patients at their level or refer the patient to a “hub” center such as a private tertiary hospital or medical college for further care. Currently, 145 spoke and 38 hub centers are ready for the program.
The project’s heart is a basic electrocardiogram (ECG) test, which is promptly uploaded and transmitted on the theCardioNet application, developed by the Bangalore-based business tricot. If the ECG detects a myocardial infarction, the program sends an alarm to the medical staff at the health facility and CardioNet doctors. According to public health department data, over 2,45,438 ECGs have been performed to date, assisting in detecting 2,175 heart attacks and over 6,000 aberrant ECGs.
According to N Ramaswamy, commissioner of the National Health Mission, ischemic heart illnesses account for about 12% of fatalities, according to Global Burden of Disease data, up from roughly 5.2% in the 1990s. He stated that STEMI has saved countless young lives and that the state aims to significantly expand it by educating additional healthcare staff and institutions.
STEMI is a major cardiac event that increases the risk of complications and death. When the segment on an ECG is elevated, it usually indicates a complete blockage of one of the heart’s main supply arteries. Thane, Pune, Wardha, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur are among the areas where the program is being implemented at chosen centers, according to Dr. Padmaja Jogewar, joint director of the noncommunicable disease cell. She stated that nurses and physicians at spoke centers are taught to break the clot by injecting medications.
According to Dr. Madhuri Nimsatkar, district program manager, STEMI saved the life of a 35-year-old man who presented to Wardha civic hospital with acute chest discomfort in January. The young guy was obliged to go to the hospital due to his suffering. She added that he was sent to a hub center when the ECG detected an increased ST and was rescued.
