Manejo de la Respuesta Prehospitalaria Ante Emergencias Cardiovasculares en Pacientes de Zonas Urbanas del Cantón Esmeraldas

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Ecuador, with a particularly critical impact in urban areas. Although emergency services are present in cities such as the Esmeraldas canton, limitations persist in the quality and effectiveness of prehospital response. Deficiencies in response times, availability of essential medical equipment, staff training, and adherence to clinical protocols compromise the survival of patients during the early stages of care. This issue is further exacerbated by structural and organizational weaknesses that hinder timely and coordinated emergency interventions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the prehospital care system in responding to cardiovascular emergencies in urban areas of the Esmeraldas canton. This was achieved by analyzing response times, availability of resources, and the implementation of standardized clinical protocols. The study employed a mixed, descriptive, and observational methodology, using structured surveys and semi-structured interviews directed at emergency technicians and physicians from the ECU-911 system, Red Cross, Fire Department, and the Ministry of Public Health. The findings revealed significant gaps in interinstitutional coordination, a lack of essential equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and inconsistent adherence to treatment protocols.