Comparative effectiveness of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction regionalization strategies.
BACKGROUND
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is more effective on average than fibrinolytic therapy in the treatment of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Yet, most US hospitals are not equipped for PCI, and fibrinolytic therapy is still widely used. This study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction regionalization strategies to increase the use of PCI against standard emergency transport and care.


RESULTS
We estimated incremental treatment costs and quality-adjusted life expectancies of 2000 patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction who received PCI or fibrinolytic therapy in simulations of emergency care in a regional hospital system. To increase access to PCI across the system, we compared a base case strategy with 12 hospital-based strategies of building new PCI laboratories or extending the hours of existing laboratories and 1 emergency medical services-based strategy of transporting all patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction to existing PCI-capable hospitals. The base case resulted in 609 (95% CI, 569-647) patients getting PCI. Hospital-based strategies increased the number of patients receiving PCI, the costs of care, and quality-adjusted life years saved and were cost-effective under a variety of conditions. An emergency medical services-based strategy of transporting every patient to an existing PCI facility was less costly and more effective than all hospital expansion options.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that new construction and staffing of PCI laboratories may not be warranted if an emergency medical services strategy is both available and feasible.
Concannon
Thomas W
TW
Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA. tconcannon@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Kent
David M
DM
Normand
Sharon-Lise
SL
Newhouse
Joseph P
JP
Griffith
John L
JL
Cohen
Joshua
J
Beshansky
Joni R
JR
Wong
John B
JB
Aversano
Thomas
T
Selker
Harry P
HP
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010360:Patient Transfer; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000639:trends; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy