EMS and hospital teams reunite with cardiac survivor after lifesaving response

Anthony Lisanti, a captain with the Chicago Fire Department’s Air and Sea Rescue Unit and father of three, was participating in a routine pickup hockey game when he began experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

“I’ve played long enough to know how my body feels, and I just wasn’t feeling right,” Lisanti said. “I went to the locker room, used an inhaler, but I knew that wasn’t it. A friend who’s a paramedic came in and recognized something was wrong. He called 911 and sprang into action.”

Lisanti, 62, was quickly assessed by EMS at the scene. “He was short of breath, very sweaty, and had chest pain radiating to his left arm,” said Jesse Daniel, firefighter/paramedic, who responded to the call. “We recognized the cardiac symptoms immediately.”

The EMS team performed an EKG and activated a STEMI alert en route to UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale. Thanks to seamless coordination and preparedness between the EMS team and hospital staff, Lisanti achieved a door-to-balloon time of just 28 minutes—well below the national standard of 90 minutes.

“According to the American Heart Association, restoring blood flow quickly during a heart attack is critical,” said Dr. Selva Patham, cardiologist and Cath Lab medical director. “Early recognition in the field and activation of the STEMI alert have been shown to improve outcomes and reduce long-term mortality.”

Upon arrival at the emergency department, Lisanti was immediately prepped for cardiac catheterization.

“They rolled me in and just went to work,” said Lisanti. “Pads were on, clothes were off, and I was on my way to the cath lab. Watching the hospital teamwork was incredible.”

“The success of this case is a testament to our entire system—from EMS to ER triage to our cath lab team,” said Jessica Paisker, executive director of cardiovascular services at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth. “It shows how critical our EMS partners are in identifying symptoms early and initiating care before the patient arrives.”

Recently, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale reunited Lisanti with the EMS team that helped save his life following his cardiac emergency. The reunion at the Tri-State Fire Protection District Station in Burr Ridge brought together first responders, hospital staff, and EMS professionals to review the case and emphasize the importance of early recognition and intervention in cardiac care. The event served as a powerful reminder of how essential EMS providers are in helping patients survive and recover from medical emergencies.

Lisanti acknowledged the vital role of his caregivers, “It takes a village to save a life. If even one person along the way didn’t do their job, I might not be here. As a first responder myself, being on the receiving end of that care was humbling.”

Today, Lisanti is back to his daily life and feeling well. “Honestly, I feel great—maybe even a little better than before.”