From JEMS:
Investigators from the University of Toronto, using the Toronto EMS system, sought to evaluate the effects of serial 12-leads in capturing more patients experiencing a STEMI. Over a one-year period, data on 325 patients experiencing STEMI identified in the prehospital setting were retrospectively analyzed. Summary statistics show that initial STEMI identification based on the first 12-lead ECG obtained was 84.6%, with cumulative totals of 93.8% on the second, and 100% on the third (or 9.2% and 6.2% increases respectively).
Investigators concluded that prehospital providers who perform a single 12-lead on patients experiencing chest pain or angina are at risk for a missed opportunity to identify STEMI in the field.
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