Oakdale Fire Department Recognized for National Study Focused on Heart Attack Treatment

Regions Hospital recognized the Oakdale Fire Department at the Sept. 11 Oakdale city council meeting for their participation in the IMMEDIATE Trial, a national study on a solution for patients experiencing heart attack-like symptoms.

This study looked at the use of a glucose-insulin-potassium for patients with heart attack-like symptoms. The study showed the medication reduced the size of a heart attack and the number of cardiac arrests or deaths compared to placebo. The study was also published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in March 2012. 

Paramedics from the Oakdale Fire Department, Cottage Grove Public Safety, Lakeview Hospital EMS, Mahtomedi Fire, Maplewood Fire and White Bear Lake Fire evaluated people with heart attack symptoms who called 911 from 2008 through July 2011 for enrollment into the study.

“We’ve had a long relationship with Regions EMS that has allowed us to get involved with studies that we otherwise wouldn’t be allowed into,” said Oakdale Fire Chief Jeff Anderson. “It’s another advantage for Oakdale to be allowed into this study.”

A total of 51 patients in Minnesota were enrolled into the program out of 911 patients nationwide. Oakdale enrolled seven patients during the trial, said Ralph Frascone of Regions Hospital EMS.

“Paramedics were a key part of this study that has demonstrated that the severity of heart attacks can be reduced by the early administration of a simple solution of glucose-insulin-potassium,” Frascone said. “Your community was part of an important investigation that that yielded promising results for patients locally and across the country.”

Regions Hospital will also be recognizing EMS providers from Maplewood, White Bear Lake, and Lakeview Hospital EMS at their city council and leadership meetings. Paramedics from HealthEast Transportation will also be recognized.

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