Delay to reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting to acute care hospitals: an international perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the extent of delay from initial hospital presentation to fibrinolytic therapy or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), characteristics associated with prolonged delay, and changes in delay patterns over time in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).


RESULTS
We analysed data from 5170 patients with STEMI enrolled in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events from 2003 to 2007. The median elapsed time from first hospital presentation to initiation of fibrinolysis was 30 min (interquartile range 18-60) and to primary PCI was 86 min (interquartile range 53-135). Over the years under study, there were no significant changes in delay times to treatment with either strategy. Geographic region was the strongest predictor of delay to initiation of fibrinolysis >30 min. Patient's transfer status and geographic location were strongly associated with delay to primary PCI. Patients treated in Europe were least likely to experience delay to fibrinolysis or primary PCI.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest no improvements in delay times from hospital presentation to initiation of fibrinolysis or primary PCI during our study period. Geographic location and patient transfer were the strongest predictors of prolonged delay time, suggesting that improvements in modifiable healthcare system factors can shorten delay to reperfusion therapy even further.
Spencer
Frederick A
FA
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Canada L9K 1M2. fspence@mcmaster.ca
Montalescot
Gilles
G
Fox
Keith A A
KA
Goodman
Shaun G
SG
Granger
Christopher B
CB
Goldberg
Robert J
RJ
Oliveira
Gustavo B F
GB
Anderson
Frederick A
FA
Eagle
Kim A
KA
Fitzgerald
Gordon
G
Gore
Joel M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion / Q000379:methods; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents