Dave Dyer

Staff Writer

Heart attack patients will now have quicker care in Scarborough.

Members of the Scarborough Firie Department have completed training to use early activation of the Maine Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization lab for early detection of artery blockages, leading to heart attacks. 

Scarborough EMS Deputy Chief Tony Attardo said by having the ability to activate the catheterization lab, paramedics will be able to bypass the emergency room and take patients immediately to the lab.

“The biggest impact for (the catheterization training) will be for the patients,” Attardo said.

Portland, South Portland, Falmouth, Cumberland, Windham and Gorham have also been a part of the catheterization training program, Attardo said.

Windham Fire Chief Charlie Hammond said detection of a blocked artery can be looked at by connecting a 12-lead (or 12-wire) electrical tracing of the heart (also known as an EKG) machine to a patient, which can look at the heart from a variety of angles. He said by reading electrical information waves from the EKG, paramedics can detect if the patient has an artery blockage and specifically which artery is blocked. As paramedics take a patient to the catheterization lab, a cardiologist would be able to tell if a patient needs immediate care.

“For the patient, it’s everything,” Hammond said. “If we can provide a quicker time, that’s tremendous.”

Scarborough paramedics participated in 12 hours of training at the catheterization lab at Maine Medical Center. Attardo said eight hours of training focused on reading the 12-lead EKG machine the department now uses. Cardiologists use the same equipment, which is more specific in determining where artery blockages occur. He said another four hours of training was spent in the catheterization lab.

Attardo said there are two ways of unclogging a blocked artery. One way is to use “clot busting” medications, known as thrombolytics. The second option is a stent, a balloon inserted through the groin area and up into the clogged artery.

Attardo said a benchmark of 90 minutes, will be set for paramedics starting and ending for when a patient is taken by ambulance to when the stent procedure commences. 

Hammond said if a patient waits in an emergency room before being sent to a cardiologist, the chance becomes greater for damage to be done by the blocked artery.

Usual symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, discomfort, tightness or pressure which could last for several minutes, sweating, nausea, lightheaded or dizziness, pain and discomfort in the stomach, arms, shoulders, jaw, neck or back and unexplained shortness breath as well as a general feeling of weakness, Attardo said.

Attardo said different symptoms and reactions can occur and it is important for people to be able to contact 911 and report their symptoms, even if they may not be having a heart attack.

“A person needs to make that call,” Attardo said. “That’s when the other clock starts, after that clot takes place.”