Final answer:
Heparin is administered to a STEMI patient to act as a short-acting anticoagulant that helps in preventing the progression and formation of blood clots, thereby improving patient outcomes following a heart attack.
Step-by-step explanation:
We administer heparin to a STEMI patient because it is a short-acting anticoagulant that opposes prothrombin, which plays a key role in blood clotting. Heparin is vital in preventing clot progression and formation which is significant after a heart attack to maintain patency in the coronary arteries and improve patient outcomes. In the case of a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), rapid treatment is crucial to dissolve blood clots that are blocking the blood flow to the heart muscle, thus reducing the extent of heart muscle damage and preserving heart function.
In addition to heparin, other immediate treatments for MI include administering supplemental oxygen, aspirin, and nitro-glycerine to help breakup clots and widen the coronary vessels. For longer-term treatments, thrombolytic agents such as streptokinase, which dissolve the clot, may be used. Other treatments could involve balloon angioplasty, stents, or even bypass surgery, if necessary.