OxAMI

Oxford Acute Myocardial Infarction Study

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What is AMI?

What is Acute Myocardial Infarction?

Acute myocardial infarction or AMI is the medical name for a heart attack. A heart attack is a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart is abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage. This is usually the result of a blockage in the main arteries that supply the heart with blood, known as coronary arteries. A coronary angiogram is a special X-ray test used to find out if any coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, helping doctors see if you need treatment such as angioplasty or stent. (Back to About OxAMI)

What is AMI

Early treatment for a heart attack can prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle (i.e. myocardium). Doctors start treatment promptly to restore blood flow through the blood vessels supplying the heart. A coronary angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI) is a routine and widely used nonsurgical procedure that opens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. The narrow section of the artery is opened up by inflating a small balloon inside the artery to allow blood flow more easily. A small piece of stainless-steel mesh (coronary stent) is usually placed inside the artery to make sure it stays open. PCI is carried out in the emergency or non-emergency setting depending on the type of heart attack. If you have an ECG that shows a particular pattern of heart attack called “ST elevation” (STEMI) this will require emergency or primary PCI procedure. Your doctor may also prescribe blood thinning medications.

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The Health Research Authority’s National Research Ethics Service Committee – South Central Oxford A, has reviewed and approved this research study and website

HRA NRES Research Ethics Reference Number 11/SC0397
© 2025 Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford · Site by Blue Island Media

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