Emergency response to heart attack

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) have developed and issued a position statement for the use of pre-hospital thrombolysis for patients who are having a heart attack. The statement applies to clinicians, including paramedics and ambulance nurses working in a pre-hospital setting for NHS ambulance services in the UK. Development of the statement was led by an ambulance service Medical Director who brought together representatives from four organisations - the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the College of Paramedics, the British Cardiothoracic Society, and the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee.

This group of experts included lead paramedics, cardiologists, nurses, and Doctors who all had an interest in the pre-hospital management of heart attacks. Relevant evidence was sought to inform the position statement such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. A consensus was reached regarding the content of the statement and the position statement was approved and issued by the AACE National Ambulance Service Medical Directors group on 20th July 2021. The use of pre-hospital thrombolysis in UK NHS Ambulance Services is not supported other than in specific geographical areas where this treatment cannot be provided any other way within accepted timelines. Further details can be found in the position statement.

ACTION: An ambulance service Medical Director brought together representatives from four organisations-the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the College of Paramedics, the British Cardiothoracic Society, and the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee who agreed a consensus for a UK wide position statement on the use of pre-hospital thrombolysis that was issued on 20th July 21.

TIMELINE: Completed on 20th July 2021.

Response received on 26 July 2021.