AstraZeneca (AZ) Pharma India (AstraZeneca India) has announced a collaboration with STEMI India Charitable Trust, a not-for-profit organization founded by leading cardiologists Dr Thomas Alexander and Dr Ajit S Mullasari (STEMI India).

Under the collaboration, STEMI India and AstraZeneca India will work together to emphasize the importance of the "Golden Hour" and appropriate treatment strategies across the country for improving the standard of care for heart attack patients.

India has a high burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the world; upwards of 3 million heart attacks occur in India every year.

One of the gravest complications of CAD is ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a life threatening medical emergency that results from a sudden, occlusive thrombus in the coronary artery.

If treated within 2 hours of onset of symptoms, much of the damage can be controlled and many more lives saved. Current data suggest that patients are brought in to a hospital only after about 300 minutes.

STEMI India along with its industry partners has been leading the efforts towards establishing a STEMI system of care in India through initiatives such as disseminating the latest information on STEMI management, develop a system of care for STEMI care in India, public education on delays in accessing appropriate care and training STEMI teams in hospitals that treat STEMI.

To further this initiative, STEMI India concluded the 3rd edition of its Annual Meet on July 2nd and 3rd 2016 in Bengaluru that saw the participation of leading cardiologists, emergency room physicians and paramedics.

Over these two days, workshops conducted by experts used lectures, interactive sessions, and case histories to share with participants the recent advances in the management of STEMI.

This two-day event reinforced the importance of prompt treatment to ensure that outcomes are optimized and delays are reduced.

"ST elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is one of the most challenging clinical conditions in cardiology since a patient with STEMI requires coordinated action from multiple providers to deliver quick and appropriate care. The objective of STEMI India's annual meet is provide fresh orientation to all caregivers on prompt treatment methods. Training experts are chosen from amongst recognized leaders in STEMI care from around the world," said Dr Thomas Alexander, Founder, STEMI India.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Sanjay Murdeshwar, MD, AstraZeneca India stated, "AstraZeneca India is pleased to partner with STEMI India. This partnership supports our commitment to drive a paradigm shift in the way Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is managed in India through increased awareness of the STEMI India model for managing ACS patients and importance of pre-hospital management of STEMI patients."