Collaboration between first responders and Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital’s emergency department is bringing a new heart emergency protocol to Port St. Lucie. STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is a severe heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to part of the heart. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to reducing damage to the heart muscle. The new emergency protocol was deployed in October at Tradition Hospital after the simulation pictured above.
Oct. 29, 2026 – Patients experiencing one of the most serious types of heart attacks now have access to faster, advanced treatment closer to home as Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital launched a new STEMI protocol in October.
STEMI, or ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, is a severe heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to part of the heart. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving outcomes and reducing damage to the heart muscle.
The new initiative represents a significant expansion of cardiovascular services at Tradition Hospital and is part of a broader effort to strengthen heart care across the Treasure Coast.
As part of the initiative, Tradition Hospital has enhanced its cardiac catheterization laboratories and expanded specialized training for staff. Teams are also implementing new protocols that begin before a patient arrives at the hospital. Electrocardiograms performed by EMS crews in the field can be transmitted directly to the emergency department, allowing clinicians to identify a STEMI and activate the cardiac response team as quickly as possible.
“Tradition-based cardiovascular interventionists are ready to apply first-line treatment including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and balloon angioplasty,” said Dr. Jaime Lewellyn, medical director, interventional cardiology at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
Door-to-treatment time is crucial in protecting the heart muscle in this type of emergency: “We’re expanding access to emergency cardiac care for Treasure Coast residents, so more patients can receive timely treatment close to home,” said Chirag Choudhary, MD, MBA, vice president and chief medical officer of Cleveland Clinic Tradition, North and South hospitals. “When someone is having a heart attack, every minute counts. Our STEMI program helps ensure patients can get lifesaving care quickly, while also benefiting from the expertise and resources of Cleveland Clinic.”
Patients who require additional treatment due to severe blockages or complications would be stabilized and efficiently transferred to cardiothoracic surgeons at Cleveland Clinic Martin North who can perform coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This is surgery to place a new blood vessel that gets around the blockage.
“The program strengthens coordination across Cleveland Clinic Florida’s cardiovascular network,” said Dr. Jerry D. Estep, interim vice chief, Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Florida, division chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, and the Eric and Lois Zorn Endowed Chair. “Patients who require cardiac surgery or need extended mechanical support or heart transplantation consideration can be rapidly transferred to the appropriate Cleveland Clinic facility, while many patients will be able to receive lifesaving STEMI intervention at Tradition Hospital,” said Dr. Estep.
The STEMI initiative reflects Cleveland Clinic’s continued investment in advanced heart care and will help ensure Treasure Coast residents have greater access to timely, specialized treatment when every second counts.
About Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is part of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida market. It features three hospitals, Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, with a total of 521 beds, a free-standing emergency center, and numerous outpatient centers and clinics across Martin and St. Lucie counties on Florida’s east coast. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health offers preventive, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer care, a heart center, wellness and rehabilitation services, and much more. Cleveland Clinic’s Florida market is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook.
