Tenecteplase injection saves 2,650 lives in Andhra Pradesh under STEMI
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Visakhapatnam: Under the STEMI (ST-elevated myocardial infarction) programme, which aims to enable treatment for heart attacks during the critical golden hour, Tenecteplase injections costing approximately Rs 45,000 are being provided free of charge to eligible patients in Andhra Pradesh.
This initiative by the state health department has so far saved around 2,650 lives since the programme's inception about 10 months ago.
According to experts, thrombolytic therapy using Tenecteplase is crucial during the golden hour for patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction. The golden hour represents the vital window during which immediate medical intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes.
This clot-dissolving medication works by breaking down blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the heart.
State health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said that the costly injection is being provided free of charge to patients, which has helped save 2,650 lives. "I appreciate all the stakeholders involved in this STEMI mission," Yadav added.
When administered properly, Tenecteplase helps restore blood flow through blocked arteries.
The earlier the treatment, the better the chance of preserving heart muscle and reducing mortality. Similarly, in cases of ischaemic stroke, prompt administration of Tenecteplase within the approved time window is essential to avoid permanent brain damage.
Dr K Rambabu, director of the Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), explained that approximately 40 mg is administered to patients with myocardial infarction (MI), while 20 mg is used for those suffering from ischaemic stroke.
"After stabilising myocardial infarction patients with this thrombolytic therapy at VIMS, they are referred to hospitals equipped with cath labs. Stroke patients, however, are treated at VIMS itself.
Thanks to the govt, the free injection is a blessing for poor patients. It facilitates recovery during the critical golden hour. VIMS has requested the establishment of a cath lab, which would not only aid in treating MI patients but also allow advanced procedures such as embolisation," Dr Rambabu said.
Ch Jagannadha Rao, a 70-year-old patient, shared his experience after being admitted to VIMS for right-sided weakness in both upper and lower limbs (stroke). "I noticed my mouth was deviating to the left, and I was slurring my speech. The doctors told me a CT scan showed no haemorrhage. They administered a Tenecteplase injection, and within an hour, I noticed improvement in my right limbs and speech. They continued my treatment with other medications.
After five days, I could walk unaided and speak normally. I was discharged after nine days, fully recovered," Rao said.
The STEMI programme operates under a hub-and-spoke model. Major hospitals function as hubs, while selected community health centres, area hospitals, and district hospitals are connected to these hubs and serve as 'spokes'.
If a person experiences chest pain, they can visit the nearest smaller hospital (a spoke), where doctors perform an ECG. Senior specialists at the hub then review the data and determine if the Tenecteplase injection is required. If so, doctors at the spoke administer it immediately, and the patient is subsequently transferred to the hub for further treatment.
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