Recommendation to develop strategies to increase the number of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients with timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Although evidence suggests that primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion strategy in the majority of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), only a minority of patients with STEMI are treated with primary PCI, and of those, only a minority receive the treatment within the recommended 90 minutes after entry into the medical system. Market research conducted by the American Heart Association revealed that those involved in the care of patients with STEMI recognize the multiple barriers that prevent the prompt delivery of primary PCI and agree that it is necessary to develop systems or centers of care that will allow STEMI patients to benefit from primary PCI. The American Heart Association will convene a group of stakeholders (representing the interests of patients, physicians, emergency medical systems, community hospitals, tertiary hospitals, and payers) and quality-of-care and outcomes experts to identify the gaps between the existing and ideal delivery of care for STEMI patients, as well as the requisite policy implications. Working within a framework of guiding principles, the group will recommend strategies to increase the number of STEMI patients with timely access to primary PCI.
Alice K
AK
Jacobs
Elliott M
EM
Antman
Gray
G
Ellrodt
David P
DP
Faxon
Tammy
T
Gregory
George A
GA
Mensah
Peter
P
Moyer
Joseph
J
Ornato
Eric D
ED
Peterson
Larry
L
Sadwin
Sidney C
SC
Smith
D000288:Administrative Personnel; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000191:economics; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors