[Acute myocardial infarction in Mid-Norway: transportation for thrombolytic treatment or primary percutaneous coronary intervention?].
BACKGROUND
Occluded coronary arteries should be opened urgently in patients who have acute myocardial infarction and ST-elevation in ECG. When transport times are long, thrombolytic treatment is a good alternative to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of this study was to assess choice of treatment strategy in cases where time after start of symptoms and transport time are decisive for the outcome.


METHODS
A cohort study of 379 patients, who had myocardial infarction and ST-elevation, and were admitted to St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway in the period 1.11.2007-31.1.2009.


RESULTS
268 patients (71 %) were treated with PCI, and 111 patients (29 %) with thrombolytic treatment. 173 patients (46 %) were transported by helicopter. The counties in Mid-Norway used markedly different treatment strategies for these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Great regional differences were observed in the use of PCI and thrombolytic treatment in Mid-Norway.
Beltesbrekke
Hanne Saettem
HS
Institutt for sirkulasjon og bildediagnostikk, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet og Hjertemedisinsk avdeling, St. Olavs hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway.
Husa
Mari Bergan
MB
Vik-Mo
Harald
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017732:Air Ambulances; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011379:Prognosis; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D016896:Treatment Outcome