Iowa Mission: Lifeline STEMI

This year an estimated 1.4 million people will suffer a heart attack. Approximately 400,000 of those victims will experience a STEMI.

Unfortunately, approximately 30% of STEMI patients do not receive any form of treatment to restore blood flow, whether through clot-busting drugs commonly referred to as thrombolytics or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the latter being the preferred therapy which uses mechanical means such as stents, balloon angioplasty or surgery.

Time is muscle. The outcome of STEMI events depends greatly on the care patients receive and the timeframe in which they receive it. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology's guidelines recommend that balloon angioplasty be performed within 90 minutes - preferably less - of arrival at any hospital.

About Mission: Lifeline STEMI

Iowa’s Mission: Lifeline STEMI project was implemented over three years, in collaboration with Iowa’s health systems, emergency medical service (EMS) providers, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health, and others. The goal of the project was to help identify the gaps that lead to slower and less effective patient care. Together with providers across the state, Mission: Lifeline STEMI sought to close those gaps through changes in protocols and processes, and also in providing resources such as life-saving equipment.

In partnership with the medical community, this collaboration transformed patient care for future heart attack victims in Iowa. This innovative regional collaboration ensured equipment compatibility, consistent training and uniform protocols for both transporting and treating heart attack patients across the region.

Here’s a look at the project’s accomplishments. Mission: Lifeline Iowa STEMI Grant Outcomes (PDF)