Revised Online Course Instructs STEMI Diagnosis and Treatment

The self-directed, web-based eLearning course prepares healthcare professionals to evaluate and assess patients with potential symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI), interpret electrocardiograms (ECGs) for signs of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and activate a system of care for rapid reperfusion of an occluded coronary artery. The course content includes coronary anatomy as related to 12-lead ECG; understanding STEMI systems of care and recognition, basics of acute coronary syndromes and triage of STEMI patients; and how to acquire high-quality, 12-lead ECGs and identify findings that mimic STEMI.

The course features narrated lessons, animated graphics, interactive mini-games, and self-study cards. The updated course is based on revised Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines published in the November 2, 2010, issue of Circulation, the journal of the AHA (please see Related Links below). Upon completion of the course, the students can apply for continuing education (CE) credits.

Thousands of patients with STEMI fail to receive critical therapy in a timely fashion, and nearly 30% of patients with STEMI (in the United States alone) do not receive reperfusion treatment at all. A rapid response to open the blocked artery is crucial to improving the patient's outcome, which is why it is important that a STEMI be quickly and correctly identified and the proper treatment process started immediately.

Related Links:
American Heart Association (AHA)
AHA Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines