Mobile coronary care and community mortality from myocardial infarction.
Over a 15-month period all episodes of suspected myocardial infarction were documented in two similar communities in Northern Ireland. The hospital coronary-care facilities were similar but only one area had a mobile coronary-care service. The incidence of myocardial infarction was similar in the two areas but the community mortality at 28 days was lower in all age-groups in the area served by the mobile unit. The difference in mortality was more pronounced in younger age-groups. Among those aged less than 65 the mortality rates in the two areas were 55% and 34%. The treatment in the two areas differed only in that it was provided about 2 h earlier where mobile care was available. The results suggest that the impact of early pre-hospital coronary-care on community mortality has been seriously underestimated.
Mathewson
Z M
ZM
McCloskey
B G
BG
Evans
A E
AE
Russell
C J
CJ
Wilson
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009660:Northern Ireland