Beneficial effects of direct call to emergency medical services in acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We investigated the impact of an emergency medical services call on the management of acute myocardial infarction, considering time intervals for intervention and revascularization procedures.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected from January 2001 to October 2002 from 531 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation and a pre-hospital delay of less than 24 h.

Results: Only 26% of patients called the emergency medical services at the onset of symptoms (n=140).

Analysis of myosin heavy chain functionality in the heart.

Comparison of mammalian cardiac alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain isoforms reveals 93% identity. To date, genetic methodologies have effected only minor switches in the mammalian cardiac myosin isoforms. Using cardiac-specific transgenesis, we have now obtained major myosin isoform shifts and/or replacements.