A revolutionary drug which gives heart attack victims a far greater chance of survival is being trialled in south Essex ambulances.

The drug - which costs £600 an injection - will be used in emergencies after patients have been evaluated by paramedics.

Tests - Steve Wheaton and Neil Storey discuss the new drug Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

It is already being used in Thurrock and is expected to be rolled out to the rest of south Essex within a few weeks.

The drug has already been used to treat a south Essex man suffering serious heart problems.

With the area's reputation as one of the heart disease hotspots of the UK the drug is expected to be used several times a month.

Essex is one of the counties pioneering Tenectaplase and Thurrock and Colchester are the first areas to have it on ambulances.

Steve Wheaton, senior operations manager based at Grays, said that, given south Essex's bad reputation for heart disease, the drug was likely to prove a lifesaver.

He said: "It costs £600 a shot and all or our paramedics are now trained in its administration. "Basically it's a super clot-buster.

"Many heart attacks are caused by obstructions. When this drug comes across a clot or a fat deposit it busts it clean away."

Published Wednesday, April 23, 2003

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