“An Evaluation of Prehospital ECG Application in Chest Pain Patients” – A Prospective Study

Chest pain is a frequent reason for seeking medical attention, with one of the major causes being acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for improving survival rates. In Western countries, prehospital electrocardiograms (ECGs) are a standard practice that helps reduce treatment time for ACS. In India, however, prehospital ECG use is not widespread. The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of prehospital acquisition and transfer of 12-lead ECG in chest pain patients and to assess the effectiveness of prehospital ECG in identifying symptoms indicative of ACS. This prospective observational study was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022. The study involved 120 patients. The mean dispatch time of the first responder after receiving the call was 2.5 minutes, and the trip began within an average of 4.6 minutes. The average time to reach the patient was 12.21±3.22 minutes for distances less than 2 km and 40.67±15.57 minutes for distances greater than 6 km. ECG transmission from the time of the call averaged 17.68±3.82 minutes for distances under 2 km and 47.67±17.16 minutes for over 6 km. Diagnosis times were 18.74±3.82 minutes for less than 2 km and up to 48.67±17.16 minutes for more than 6 km. A total of 71 patients (59.2%) were advised to visit the hospital immediately, based on ACS-related signs, symptoms, and ECG results. The study concludes that prehospital 12-lead ECG is a feasible, convenient, and effective method to improve outcomes in patients with chest pain.