title: Predictors of delay in presentation to the ED in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: Delays in seeking medical attention for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) preclude early application of life-saving treatment and diminish efficacy. Previous studies suggest 3-hour delays between onset of symptoms and ED arrival in patients with typical presentations of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A prospective observational study was conducted in an urban ED measuring lag time (LT) among adults presenting within 48 hours of onset of symptoms suggestive of ACS. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed on 5 predictors: age, sex, symptoms at presentation, and 2 different outcomes (AMI and ACS). Three hundred seventy-four patients were enrolled. Mean age was 63 years with 38% 70 years or older. Seventy-three percent of all patients with suspected ACS presented with chest pain, 27% with atypical symptoms. Overall mean LT was 8.7 hours (standard deviation 11). In subgroup analysis, patients aged >/=70 years were more likely to have LTs >12 hours (29% vs. 19% P =.043) and patients without chest pain had longer mean LTs (11.6 vs. 7.6 hours, P =.01). Delay in ED presentation is group specific. Advanced age and patients with atypical symptoms are predictive of longer LTs. Contrary to previously published data, patients with symptoms suspicious for ACS can delay an average of 9 hours, which might alter current thinking in the prevention and care of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02215, USA. sgrossma@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Shamai A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: David F M
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: YuChiao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Won G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hilarie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cranmer
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dan
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tedrow
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lewandrowski
authors.forename: Ik-Kyung
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Nagurney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000628:therapy*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population