Efficacy and limitations of a STEMI network: 3 years of experience within the myocardial infarction network of the region of Augsburg - HERA

No time to delay reperfusion: A cross-sectional study of primary percutaneous coronary intervention times

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To establish and report cross-sectional data of reperfusion times for emergency primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCI) and to examine factors associated with times to reperfusion.

BACKGROUND

Rapid coronary reperfusion can salvage myocardial tissue, preserve left ventricular function and reduce mortality. PPCI is the gold standard of management. Researchers have reported on international median reperfusion times, but this is the first Irish study to do so.

METHODS

This observational, prospective, cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and admitted for emergency PPCI. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The study was ethically approved. We adopted the STROBE guidelines.

RESULTS

All patients (N = 133) who met the inclusion criteria were included initially. Of these, 105 (79%) were diagnosed with STEMI and received emergency PPCI. The majority of STEMIs were diagnosed by paramedics and most (67%) were reperfused within 120 min, with a median time of 96 min. The results suggested that younger patients achieved timelier PPCI and source of referral was also significant in that more of those transferred directly to the coronary catheterisation laboratory achieved reperfusion within 120 min, compared with those who presented to the emergency department.

CONCLUSION

A timely reperfusion service is achieved for the majority. Attention is needed in respect of the ageing and those admitted directly to the emergency departments with STEMI.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Further international research is recommended to compare current reperfusion times against guidelines and to identify areas for improvement. Clinicians should be mindful of the importance of rapid reperfusion and the implications of its delay for patients with STEMI. Those presenting to emergency departments with chest pain should be prioritised.

Factors Associated With Emergency Services Use by Patients With Recurrent Myocardial Infarction: From the Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease/Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg Myocardial Infarction Registry

BACKGROUND

Although emergency medical services (EMS) use is the recommended mode of transport in case of acute coronary symptoms, many people fail to use this service.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with EMS use in a population-based sample of German patients with recurrent acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

The sample consisted of 998 persons with a first and recurrent AMI, recruited from 1985 to 2011. Logistic regression modeling adjusted for sociodemographic, situational, and clinical variables, previous diseases, and presenting AMI symptoms was applied.

RESULTS

Emergency medical services was used by 48.8% of the patients at first, and 62.6% at recurrent AMI. In first AMI, higher age, history of hyperlipidemia, ST-segment elevation AMI, more than 4 presenting symptoms, symptom onset in daytime, and later year of AMI were significantly related with EMS use. Pain in the upper abdomen and pain between the shoulder blades were significantly less common in EMS users. In recurrent AMI, EMS use at first AMI, presence of any other symptom except chest pain, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and later year of AMI were significantly related with EMS use. Significant predictors of EMS use in recurrent AMI in patients who failed to use EMS at first AMI were unmarried, experience of any symptom except chest symptoms at reinfarction, bundle branch block (first AMI), any in-hospital complication (first AMI), longer duration between first and recurrent AMI, and later year of reinfarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AMI and their significant others may profit by education about the benefits of EMS use.

Impact of the Type of First Medical Contact within a Guideline-Conform ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Network: A Prospective Observational Registry Study

Aims

The impact of type of first medical contact (FMC) in the setting of a guideline conform metropolitan ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) network providing obligatory primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear.

Methods and Results

3,312 patients were prospectively included between 2006 and 2012 into a registry accompanying the “Cologne Infarction Model” STEMI network, with 68.4% primarily presenting to emergency medical service (EMS), 17.6% to non-PCI-capable hospitals, and 14.0% to PCI-capable hospitals. Median contact-to-balloon time differed significantly by FMC with 89 minutes (IQR 72–115) for EMS, 107 minutes (IQR 85–148) for non-PCI- and 65 minutes (IQR 48–91) for PCI-capable hospitals (p < 0.001). TIMI-flow grade III and in-hospital mortality were 75.7% and 10.4% in EMS, 70.3% and 8.6% in non-PCI capable hospital and 84.4% and 5.6% in PCI-capable hospital presenters, respectively (p both < 0.01). The association of FMC with in-hospital mortality was not significant after adjustment for baseline characteristics, but risk of TIMI-flow grade < III remained significantly increased in patients presenting to non-PCI capable hospitals.

Conclusion

Despite differences in treatment delay by type of FMC in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly. The increased risk of TIMI-flow grade < III in patients presenting to non PCI-capable hospitals needs further study.

Leukocyte telomere length and left ventricular function after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: data from the glycometabolic intervention as adjunct to primary coronary intervention in ST elevation myocardial infarction (GIPS-III) trial

Background

Telomere length has been associated with coronary artery disease and heart failure. We studied whether leukocyte telomere length is associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods and results

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was determined using the monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR method in 353 patients participating in the glycometabolic intervention as adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI III trial. LVEF was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. The mean age of patients was 58.9 ± 11.6 years, 75 % were male. In age- and gender-adjusted models, LTL at baseline was significantly associated with age (beta ± standard error; −0.33 ± 0.01; P < 0.01), gender (0.15 ± 0.03; P < 0.01), TIMI flow pre-PCI (0.05 ± 0.03; P < 0.01), TIMI flow post-PCI (0.03 ± 0.04; P < 0.01), myocardial blush grade (−0.05 ± 0.07; P < 0.01), serum glucose levels (−0.11 ± 0.01; P = 0.03), and total leukocyte count (−0.11 ± 0.01; P = 0.04). At 4 months after STEMI, LVEF was well preserved (54.1 ± 8.4 %) and was not associated with baseline LTL (P = 0.95). Baseline LTL was associated with n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 4 months (−0.14 ± 0.01; P = 0.02), albeit not independent for age and gender.

Conclusion

Our study does not support a role for LTL as a causal factor related to left ventricular ejection fraction after STEMI.

System dynamics modeling in the evaluation of delays of care in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients within a tiered health system

Background

Mortality rates amongst ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients remain high, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors related with delays in the treatment of STEMI patients to support a strategic plan toward structural and personnel modifications in a primary hospital aligning its process with international guidelines.

Methods and Findings

The study was conducted in a primary hospital localized in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. We utilized a qualitative and quantitative integrated analysis including on-site observations, interviews, medical records analysis, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and System Dynamics Modeling (SD). Main cause of delays were categorized into three themes: a) professional, b) equipment and c) transportation logistics. QCA analysis confirmed four main stages of delay to STEMI patient’s care in relation to the ‘Door-in-Door-out’ time at the primary hospital. These stages and their average delays in minutes were: a) First Medical Contact (From Door-In to the first contact with the nurse and/or physician): 7 minutes; b) Electrocardiogram acquisition and review by a physician: 28 minutes; c) ECG transmission and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Center team feedback time: 76 minutes; and d) Patient’s Transfer Waiting Time: 78 minutes. SD baseline model confirmed the system’s behavior with all occurring delays and the need of improvements. Moreover, after model validation and sensitivity analysis, results suggested that an overall improvement of 40% to 50% in each of these identified stages would reduce the delay.

Conclusions

This evaluation suggests that investment in health personnel training, diminution of bureaucracy, and management of guidelines might lead to important improvements decreasing the delay of STEMI patients’ care. In addition, this work provides evidence that SD modeling may highlight areas where health system managers can implement and evaluate the necessary changes in order to improve the process of care.