title: Door-to-Balloon Delays with PCI in Acute Myocardial Infarction.
abstract: In the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the length of time from symptom onset to revascularization is a crucial determinant of clinical outcomes such as mortality and reinfarction. Direct, or primary, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) produces higher rates of infarct-related artery patency and improved clinical outcomes compared to thrombolytic therapy. However, primary PTCA is associated with an increased time interval from hospital arrival to revascularization, the so-called door-to-balloon time. Numerous data support the theory that increased door-to-balloon time reduces the benefits of primary PTCA in the treatment of AMI. Therefore, institutions that offer PTCA must strive to decrease door-to-balloon delays through the use of established treatment protocols and frequent assessment of performance.
authors.affiliation: TIMI Data Coordinating Center and Angiographic Core Laboratory, 350 Longwood Avenue, First Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mgibson@perfuse.org
authors.forename: Daniel R.
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: C. Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gibson