Cardiology - AVH Designated STEMI Receiving Center

As of February 1, 2007, Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) has been approved as a ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Receiving Center. One of only 16 such hospitals in Los Angeles County, this certification means that when paramedics identify a patient as having an acute cardiac myocardial infarction (heart attack), they are instructed to bring patients directly to Antelope Valley Hospital.

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend that hospitals treating STEMI patients should reliably achieve a "door-to-balloon" time (interval between arrival at the hospital and the opening of a blocked artery with an angioplasty balloon) within 90 minutes. At AVH, our average "door-to-balloon" time over last year averaged less than 60 minutes. With the new STEMI Receiving Center designation, our cardiac team will be activated by the LA County paramedics from the field, further decreasing the time needed to provide care to patients brought to AVH in cardiac distress.

The County of Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services Agency has a very rigorous review process for medical facilities striving for licensure as a STEMI Receiving Center. The requirements include having the Emergency Department, Cardiac Cath Lab, cardiologists on staff and a cardiovascular surgeon all work as a team to effectively preserve a patient's heart muscle with 90 minutes following the onset of chest pain. Without a team that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a hospital cannot have the STEMI Receiving Center designation.

We are very proud to have this designation which will allow our hospital to provide immediate care to acute cardiac patients in the Antelope Valley and neighboring areas.