Bypassing the emergency room to reduce door-to- balloon time and improve outcomes of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction: The Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey experience

Alla Lubovich, Hatem Hamood, Solomon Behar, Uri Rosenschein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Rapid reperfusion of an infarct-related artery is crucial for the successful treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction. Every effort should be made to shorten doorto- balloon time. Objectives: To investigate whether bypassing the emergency room (ER) has a positive influence on door-to-balloon time in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and whether the reduction in door-to-balloon time improves patients' clinical outcome. Methods: We analyzed data of 776 patients with STEMI from the 2004 and the 2006 Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS) registry. The ACSIS is a biennial survey on acute myocardial infarction performed in all 25 intensive cardiac care units in Israel during a 2-month period. Twentyfive percent of patients (193 of 776) arrived directly to the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) and 75% (583 of 776) were assessed first in the ER. We compared door-to-balloon time, ejection fraction, 30 days MACE (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events) and 30 days mortality in the two study groups. Results: There was significantly shorter door-to-balloon time in the direct ICCU group as compared with the ER group (45 vs. 79 minutes, P < 0.002). Patients in the direct ICCU group were more likely to have door-to-balloon time of less than 90 minutes in accordance with ACC/AHA guidelines (88.7% vs. 59.2%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, patients in the direct ICCU group were less likely to have left ventricular ejection fraction < 30% (5.4% vs. 12.2%, P = 0.045) and less likely to have symptoms of overt congestive heart failure. Lastly, 30 days MACE was significantly lower in the direct ICCU group (22 vs. 30%, P < 0.004). Conclusions: There is significant reduction of the door-toballoon time in the direct ICCU admission strategy. This reduction translates into improvement in clinical outcome of patients. It is reasonable to apply the direct ICCU strategy to patients with STEMI.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)216-219
Number of pages4
JournalIsrael Medical Association Journal
Volume13
Issue number4
StatePublished - Apr 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Coronary angioplasty
  • Coronary atherosclerosis
  • Health policy
  • Intensive coronary care
  • Myocardial infarction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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