Relation between door-to-balloon times and mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention over time: a retrospective study

Effect of door-to-angioembolization time on mortality in pelvic fracture: Every hour of delay counts

INTRODUCTION

Angioembolization (AE) is widely used for hemorrhagic control in patients with pelvic fracture. The latest version of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient issued by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma requires interventional radiologists to be available within 30 minutes to perform an emergency AE. However, the impact of time-to-AE on patient outcomes remains unknown. We hypothesized that a longer time-to-AE would be significantly associated with increased mortality in patients with pelvic fracture.

METHODS

This is a 2-year retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database from January 2013 to December 2014. We included adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with blunt pelvic fracture who underwent pelvic AE within 4 hours of hospital admission. Patients who required any hemorrhage control surgery for associated injuries within 4 hours were excluded. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed to evaluate the impact of time-to-AE on in-hospital and 24-hour mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 181 patients were included for analysis. The median age was 54 years (interquartile range, 38-68) and 69.6% were male. The median injury severity score was 34 (interquartile range, 27-43). Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 21.0%. The median packed red blood cell transfusions within 4 and 24 hours after admission were 4 and 6 units, respectively. After adjusting for other covariates in a hierarchical logistic regression model, a longer time-to-pelvic AE was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.79 for each hour; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.91; p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

The current study showed an increased risk of in-hospital mortality related to a prolonged time-to-AE for hemorrhagic control following pelvic fractures. Our results suggest that all trauma centers should allocate resources to minimize delays in performing pelvic AE.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Time to Treatment and In-Hospital Major Adverse Cardiac Events Among Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) According to the 24/7 Primary PCI Service Registry in Iran: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) experience major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although the relationship between time to treatment (eg, door-to-balloon time, symptom onset-to-balloon time, and symptom onset-to-door time) and 1-month all-cause mortality was assessed previously, its relationship with in-hospital MACEs and the effect of some clinical characteristics on this relationship were not considered. Furthermore, previous studies that were conducted in developed countries with a different quality of care cannot be applied in Iran, as Iran is a developing country and the studies were not performed according to the 24/7 primary PCI service registry.

Objective

The objective of this study protocol is to determine the relationship between time to treatment and in-hospital MACEs.

Methods

This cross-sectional study will take place at the Tehran Heart Center (THC), which is affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in Tehran, Iran. Data related to patients with STEMI, who underwent primary PCI between March 2015 and March 2019, that have been prospectively recorded in the THC’s 24/7 primary PCI service registry will be analyzed. The study outcome is the occurrence of in-hospital MACEs. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS for Windows, version 16.0 (SPSS Inc). We will perform chi-square tests, independent-samples t tests, or the Mann-Whitney U test, as well as univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression with a significance level of less than .05 and 95% CI for odds ratios.

Results

From March 2015 to September 2017, 1586 patients were included in the THC service registry, consecutively. We will conduct a retrospective analysis of this registry on patient entries between March 2015 and March 2019 and data will be analyzed and published by the end of 2019.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first observational study based on the 24/7 primary PCI service registry in Iran. The findings of this study may reveal current problems regarding time to treatment in STEMI management in the THC. Results from this study may help determine appropriate preventive strategies that need to be applied in order to reduce time-to-treatment delays and improve patients’ outcomes following primary PCI in the setting of STEMI at the THC and similar clinical centers.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/13161

Social media communication shorten door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred treatment method for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Many efforts had been made to reduce door-to-balloon (DTB) time in patients with STEMI. The objective of this study is to demonstrate how intrahospital social media communication reduced DTB times in STEMI patients requiring an interhospital transfer.We retrospectively enrolled patients with STEMI who had been transferred from other hospitals during 2016 and 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The previewed group had an electrocardiogram (ECG) done at the first hospital that was previewed by the cardiologist via social media. The control group was treated using the conventional clinical approach. We compared DTB time and outcome between 2 groups.The 2 groups shared some similar clinical characteristics. However, the previewed group had significantly shorter DTB times than the control group (n = 51, DTB 52.61 ± 42.20 vs n = 89, DTB time 78.40 ± 50.64, P = .003). The time elapsed between ECG and the call to the laboratory decreased most apparently in the previewed group (-11.24 ± 48.81 vs 16.96 ± 33.08, P < .001). The previewed group also tended to have less in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (P = .091).When the patients with STEMI required transfer to the PCI-capable hospital, using social media to preview ECG reduced DTB time, mainly because the cardiologists activated the catheter laboratories much earlier, sometimes even before the patients arrived at the PCI-capable hospital.

Twenty-Year Trends in Outcomes for Older Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States

IMPORTANCE

Medicare and other organizations have focused on improving quality of care for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) over the last 2 decades. However, there is no comprehensive perspective on the evolution of outcomes for AMI during that period, and it is unknown whether temporal changes varied by patient subgroup, hospital, or county.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive evaluation of national trends in inpatient outcomes and costs of AMI during this period.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study included analysis of data from a sample of 4 367 485 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years or older from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2014, across 5680 hospitals in the United States. Analyses were conducted from January 15 to June 5, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Thirty-day all-cause mortality at the patient, hospital, and county levels. Additional outcomes included 30-day all-cause readmissions; 1-year recurrent AMI; in-hospital mortality; length of hospital stay; 2014 Consumer Price Index-adjusted median Medicare inpatient payment per AMI discharge; and rates of catheterization, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

RESULTS

The cohort included 4 367 485 Medicare fee-for-service patients aged 65 years or older hospitalized for AMI during the study period. Between 1995 and 2014, the mean (SD) age of patients increased from 76.9 (7.2) to 78.2 (8.7) years, the percentage of female patients declined from 49.5% to 46.1%, the percentage of white patients declined from 91.0% to 86.2%, and the percentage of black patients increased from 5.9% to 8.0%. There were declines in AMI hospitalizations (914 to 566 per 100 000 beneficiary-years); 30-day mortality (20.0% to 12.4%; difference, 7.6 percentage points; 95% CI, 7.3-7.8 percentage points); 30-day all-cause readmissions (21.0% to 15.3%; difference, 5.7 percentage points; 95% CI, 5.4-6.0 percentage points); and 1-year recurrent AMI (7.1% to 5.1%; difference, 2.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 1.8-2.2 percentage points). There were increases in the 2014 Consumer Price Index-adjusted median (interquartile range) Medicare inpatient payment per AMI discharge ($9282 [$6969-$12 173] to $11 031 [$8099-$16 861]); 30-day inpatient catheterization (44.2% to 59.9%; difference, 15.7 percentage points; 95% CI, 15.4-16.0 percentage points); and inpatient percutaneous coronary intervention (18.8% to 43.3%; difference, 24.5 percentage points; 95% CI, 24.2-24.7 percentage points). Coronary artery bypass graft surgery rates decreased from 14.4% to 10.2% (difference, 4.2 percentage points; 95% CI, 3.9-4.3 percentage points). There was heterogeneity by hospital and county in the mortality changes over time.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study shows marked improvements in short-term mortality and readmissions, with an increase in in-hospital procedures and payments, for the increasingly smaller number of Medicare beneficiaries with AMI.

A Long-Forgotten Tale: The Management of Cardiogenic Shock in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS) present one of the highest mortality rates recorded in critical care. Mortality rate in this setting is reported around 45-50% even in the most experienced and well-equipped medical centers. The continuous development of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks has led not only to a dramatic decrease in STEMI-related mortality, but also to an increase in the frequency of severely complicated cases who survive to be transferred to tertiary centers for life-saving treatments. The reduced effectiveness of vasoactive drugs on a severely altered hemodynamic status led to the development of new devices dedicated to advanced cardiac support. What’s more, efforts are being made to reduce time from first medical contact to initiation of mechanical support in this particular clinical context. This review aims to summarize the most recent advances in mechanical support devices, in the setting of CS-complicated AMI. At the same time, the review presents several modern concepts in the organization of complex CS centers. These specialized hubs could improve survival in this critical condition.

Annual Trends in Total Ischemic Time and One-Year Fatalities: The Paradox of STEMI Network Performance Assessment

This study is aimed at assessing trends and relations between total ischemic time, the major quality measure of systemic delay, and case-fatality at the population or patient level in response to growing cardiovascular risk and a constant need to shorten the time to treatment in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Data from a prospective nationwide registry of STEMI patients admitted between 2006 and 2013 who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were analyzed. Total ischemic time was calculated as the time from the onset of symptoms to primary PCI and was determined as individual and annual. The primary end-point was one-year, all-cause case-fatality. Among the total 70,093 analyzed patients, temporal trends showed significant decrease in total ischemic time (268 vs. 230 minutes, p < 0.001), a worsening of the risk profile and an increase in one-year case-fatality (7.1% vs. 10.8%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, longer individual total ischemic time was a risk factor for higher mortality (HR 1.024, 95%CI 1.015–1.034, p < 0.001) and remained significant after adjustment for the year of admission. An inverse relation was observed for the median annual time (HR 0.992, 95%CI 0.989–0.994, p < 0.001). Thus, the observed increasing annual trends in case-fatality cannot directly measure the quality of STEMI network performance.

Strategies to Reduce the Door-to-Device Time in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Background: Performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in a timely fashion is a crucial part of the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to evaluate the contributing factors to and the etiologies of a prolonged door-to-device (D2D) time. Methods: In 2016, the D2D time was measured in all patients who were treated with PPCI at Tehran Hear Center. The major causes of a prolonged D2D time (>90 min) were determined. The second phase was then started in 2017 by focusing on the determined causes, and direct feedback was given to anyone having contributed to the delayed D2D time. The D2D time was compared between these 2 years. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.54±11.82 years, and 82.2% of them were men. The median D2D time decreased from 55 minutes (IQR_25-75%: 40-82) in 2016 to 46 minutes (IQR_25-75%: 34-70) in 2017 (P<0.001). In the first year, 79.8% of the patients had a D2D time of below 90 minutes; the figure rose to 84.1% of the patients in the second year (P=0.017). The first cause of a prolonged D2D time was missed ST-elevation in the first electrocardiogram by physician or nurse (8.4% of the cases). Along with a declining rate of missed STE to 6.7%, the median D2D time in the missed patients also decreased from 205 minutes to 177 minutes (P=0.011). The rate of ambulance arrival increased from 10.2% to 20.7% of the cases, and the median D2D time also declined from 45 (IQR_25-75%: 34-55) to 34 (IQR_25-75%: 25-55) in these patients (P<0.001). Conclusion: Even in the setting of a 24/7 on-site interventionist in the hospital, the dispatch system and prehospital electrocardiograms, along with regular assessment and feedback, may improve the D2D time.

Changing Practice Pattern of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Taiwan from 2008 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation (NSTE)-ACS have a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the practice patterns of ACS care in Taiwan from 2005 to 2018.

METHODS

Data from two nationwide ACS registries (2008-2010 and 2012-2015) were used. ACS patients who received percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) during admission were compared between the two registries.

RESULTS

In STEMI, the door-to-balloon time for primary PCI decreased by 25 min from a median of 96 to 71 min (p < 0.0001) from the first to second registry. More complex PCI procedures and drug-eluting stents were used for ACS. However, the onset-to-door time was still long for both STEMI and NSTE-ACS. The D2B time for NSTE-ACS was long, especially in the elderly and female patients. Although the prescription rate of secondary preventive medications for ACS increased, it was still relatively low compared with Western data, especially in NSTE-ACS.

CONCLUSIONS

The registry data showed that ACS care quality has improved in Taiwan. However, areas including onset-to-door time and use of secondary preventive medications still need further improvements.

Different treatments for acute myocardial infarction patients via outpatient clinics and emergency department

To investigate relevant factors and patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were admitted during between weekdays and weekends period.Retrospective population-based study setting: from the 2005 population-based national health insurance underwriting database of millions of people, random sampling (National Health Insurance Research Database [NHIRD]-Longitudinal Health Insurance Database [LHID] 2005).In 2000 to 2009 data of NHIRD, subjects presented with first episode AMI who had received the thrombolytic therapy (TPA), or percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during between weekdays and weekends period.From 2000 to 2009 among patients with first AMI total of 2007 people, the weekday group 1453 people, the weekend group 554. The total mortality within 1 year showed 33.53%, the first-day mortality occupied 8.07% in 1 year of total mortality, increased mortality after admission 3 months later. Cox regression analysis showed that AMI has presented significant risk of death, there are 4 items: weekends, age, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), thrombolytic therapy; in the other variables including emergency, hospital level, hospital ownership, and urban-rural gap are not significant differences. Further using hierarchical logistic regression analysis for Stratification of AMI mortality risk, it has significant that showed the hospital level, age, CCI, thrombolytic therapy; but emergency, PTCA and 3 CABG treatment are not significant differences.It was approved by the hierarchical logistic regression analysis after stratified correction that the present study will have a direct impact on weekdays and weekends death in the hospital level. It will also affect the individual level.

A review of acute ischemic stroke triage protocol evidence: a context for discussion

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is now the standard of care for eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO). However, there remains uncertainty in how hospital systems can most efficiently route patients with suspected ELVO for EVT treatment. Given the relative geographic distribution of centers with and without endovascular capabilities, the value of prehospital triage directly to centers with the ability to provide EVT remains debated. While there are no randomized trial data available to date, there is substantial evidence in the literature that may offer guidance on the subject. In this review we examine the available data in the context of improving the existing AIS triage systems and discuss how prehospital triage directly to endovascular-capable centers may confer clinical benefits for patients with suspected ELVO.

Improved outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction during the last 20 years are related to implementation of evidence-based treatments: experiences from the SWEDEHEART registry 1995-2014

Aims

Impact of changes of treatments on outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in real-life health care has not been documented.

Methods and results

All STEMI cases (n = 105.674) registered in the nation-wide SWEDEHEART registry between 1995 and 2014 were included and followed for fatal and non-fatal outcomes for up to 20 years. Most changes in treatment and outcomes occurred from 1994 to 2008. Evidence-based treatments increased: reperfusion from 66.2 to 81.7%; primary percutaneous coronary intervention: 4.5 to 78.0%; dual antiplatelet therapy from 0 to 89.6%; statin: 14.1 to 93.6%; beta-blocker: 78.2 to 91.0%, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme/angiotensin-2-receptor inhibitors: 40.8 to 85.2% (P-value for-trend <0.001 for all). One-year mortality decreased from 22.1 to 14.1%. Standardized incidence ratio compared with the general population decreased from 5.54 to 3.74 (P < 0.001). Cardiovascular (CV) death decreased from 20.1 to 11.1%, myocardial infarction (MI) from 11.5 to 5.8%; stroke from 2.9 to 2.1%; heart failure from 7.1 to 6.2%. After standardization for differences in demography and baseline characteristics, the change of 1-year CV-death or MI corresponded to a linear trend of 0.915 (95% confidence interval: 0.906–0.923) per 2-year period which no longer was significant, 0.997 (0.984–1.009), after adjustment for changes in treatment. The changes in treatment and outcomes were most pronounced from 1994 to 2008.

Conclusion

Gradual implementation of new and established evidence-based treatments in STEMI patients during the last 20 years has been associated with prolonged survival and lower risk of recurrent ischaemic events, although a plateauing is seen since around 2008.

The Value of Pre-Infarction Angina and Plasma D-Dimer in Predicting No-Reflow After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients

Background

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has improved outcomes greatly in patients with ST-elevation myocardial acute infarction (STEMI). However, the no-reflow phenomenon significantly reduces its efficacy.

Material/Methods

In this study, we investigated the value of combining plasma D-dimer level on admission and pre-infarction angina (PIA) in predicting no-reflow phenomenon in STEMI patients after primary PCI. A total of 926 STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI were included.

Results

The average age was 52.6 years, 617 (66.6%) of them had experienced a PIA, and 435 (47.9%) showed no-reflow phenomenon after primary PCI. Both PIA and plasma D-dimer on admission were independent predictors of no-reflow, with a risk of 0.516 (95% CI: 0.380 to 0.701) and 2.563 (95% CI: 1.910 to 3.439), respectively. Plasma D-dimer level had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.604 (95% CI: 0.568~0.641) in predicting no-reflow phenomenon, and PIA had an AUC of 0.574 (95% CI: 0.537 to 0.611). Importantly, the new signature combining D-dimer level on admission and PIA showed an increased AUC (0.637, 95%CI: 0.601 to 0.673) in predicting the no-reflow phenomenon. Moreover, the patients with high D-dimer level on admission but without PIA had significantly increased ratio of no-reflow phenomenon and in-hospital mortality compared to the other patients (P<0.001 and P=0.041, respectively).

Conclusions

Based on these solid results, we conclude that combining plasma D-dimer level on admission and PIA might create a good signature for use in predicting the no-reflow phenomenon after primary PCI in STEMI patients.

Keys to Achieving Target First Medical Contact to Balloon Times and Bypassing Emergency Department More Important Than Distance

Background

Australian guidelines advocate primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) as the reperfusion strategy of choice for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients in whom it can be performed within 90 minutes of first medical contact; otherwise, fibrinolytic therapy is preferred. In a large health district, the reperfusion strategy is often chosen in the prehospital setting. We sought to identify a distance from a PCI centre, which made it unlikely first medical contact to balloon time (FMCTB) of less than 90 minutes could be achieved in the Hunter New England health district and to identify causes of delay in patients who were triaged to a PPCI strategy.

Methods and Results

We studied 116 patients presenting via the ambulance service with STEMI from January 2016 to December 2016. In patients who were taken directly to the cardiac catheterisation lab, a maximum distance of 50 km from hospital resulted in 75% of patients receiving PCI within 90 minutes and approximately 95% of patients receiving PCI within 120 minutes. Patients who bypassed the emergency department (ED) were significantly more likely to have FMCTB of less than 90 minutes (p < 0.001) despite having a longer travel distance (28.5 km versus 17.4 km, p < 0.001). Patients transiting via the ED were significantly more likely to present out of hours (60 versus 24.2% p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients who do not bypass the ED have a longer FMCTB across all spectrum of distances from the PCI centre; therefore, bypassing the ED is key to achieving target FMCTB times. Using a cutoff distance of 50 km may reduce human error in estimating travel time to our PCI centre and thereby identifying patients who should receive prehospital thrombolysis.

Survival benefit from recent changes in management of men and women with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary interventions

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, the majority of patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) are treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). In recent years, there have been ongoing improvements in PCI techniques, devices and concomitant pharmacotherapy. However, reports on further mortality reduction among PCI-treated STEMI patients remain inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare changes in management and mortality in PCI-treated STEMI patients between 2005 and 2011 in a real-life setting.

METHODS

Data on 79,522 PCI-treated patients with STEMI from Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) admitted to Polish hospitals between 2005 and 2011 were analyzed. First, temporal trends of in-hospital management in men and women were presented. In the next step, patients from 2005 and 2011 were nearest neighbor matched on their propensity scores to compare in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality rates and in-hospital management strategies and complications.

RESULTS

Some significant changes were noted in hospital management including shortening of median times from admission to PCI, increased use of drug-eluting stents, potent antiplatelet agents but also less frequent use of statin, beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. There was a strong tendency toward preforming additional PCI of non-infarct related arteries, especially in women. After propensity score adjustment there were significant changes in inhospital but not in 30-day or 1-year mortality rates between 2005 and 2011. The results were similar in men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

There were apparent changes in management and significant in-hospital mortality reductions in PCI-treated STEMI patients between 2005 and 2011. However, it did not result in 30-day or 1-year survival benefit at a population level. There may be room for improvement in the use of guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy.

Modifiable factors associated with prolonged door to balloon time in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Door to balloon (D2B) time was reported an important factor of the clinical outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). D2B time is influenced by various factors; however, modifiable factors have not been adequately evaluated. The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable factors associated with prolonged D2B time. We historically included 239 consecutive STEMI patients who visited emergency department and underwent primary PCI between April 2013 and September 2016. We evaluated baseline characteristics, mode and timing of hospital arrival, symptoms and signs, treatment times and angiographic characteristics. Patients with D2B time > 90 min were compared with those with D2B time ≤ 90 min. Modifiable factors associated with prolonged D2B time (> 90 min) were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression model. The median D2B time for the entire cohort was 69 min (interquartile range 54-89) and 24% had a D2B time of > 90 min. Modifiable factors associated with prolonged treatment time (D2B time > 90 min) were electrocardiogram (ECG) to puncture time > 50 min [odds ratios (OR) 96.0, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 25.1-652.5, P < 0.0001), door to ECG time > 10 min (OR 49.8, 95% CI 11.8-357.5, P < 0.0001), and puncture to balloon time > 30 min (OR 48.5, 95% CI 12.0-333.8, P < 0.0001). ECG to puncture time > 50 min was the most important modifiable factor associated with prolonged D2B time in STEMI patients.

Impact of shorter door-to-balloon time on prognosis of patients with STEMI-single-center analysis with a large proportion of the patients treated within 30 min

Several recent studies suggested that the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) should be as short as possible, despite the existing guideline for STEMI. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the STEMI patient cohort having the highest proportion of patients treated with a DTBT of ≤ 30 min ever reported. We evaluated 527 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 2007 and 2015. The mean age was 68.0 ± 12.7 years, and the mean DTBT was 44.4 ± 33.1 min. The patients were classified into four groups according to the DTBT, and the relationship between the DTBT and clinical outcome was investigated. DTBTs were ≤ 30 min in 146 patients (27.7%), 31-60 min in 297 patients (56.4%), 61-90 min in 60 patients (11.4%), and > 90 min in 24 patients (4.6%). In-hospital mortality rates were 0.7, 5.0, 11.7, and 12.5% for DTBTs of ≤ 30, 31-60, 61-90, and > 90 min, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a DTBT ≤ 30 min (odds ratio [OR] 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.91, p = 0.041), shock on arrival (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.02-7.37, p = 0.046), and blood transfusion (OR 49.60, 95% CI 13.90-177.00, p < 0.001) were the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Patients with STEMI treated with a DTBT ≤ 30 min showed significantly better clinical outcomes than those treated with a DTBT > 30 min.

Weekly Checks Improve Real-Time Prehospital ECG Transmission in Suspected STEMI

IntroductionField identification of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and advanced hospital notification decreases first-medical-contact-to-balloon (FMC2B) time. A recent study in this system found that electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission following a STEMI alert was frequently unsuccessful.HypothesisInstituting weekly test ECG transmissions from paramedic units to the hospital would increase successful transmission of ECGs and decrease FMC2B and door-to-balloon (D2B) times.

METHODS

This was a natural experiment of consecutive patients with field-identified STEMI transported to a single percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable hospital in a regional STEMI system before and after implementation of scheduled test ECG transmissions. In November 2014, paramedic units began weekly test transmissions. The mobile intensive care nurse (MICN) confirmed the transmission, or if not received, contacted the paramedic unit and the department's nurse educator to identify and resolve the problem. Per system-wide protocol, paramedics transmit all ECGs with interpretation of STEMI. Receiving hospitals submit patient data to a single registry as part of ongoing system quality improvement. The frequency of successful ECG transmission and time to intervention (FMC2B and D2B times) in the 18 months following implementation was compared to the 10 months prior. Post-implementation, the time the ECG transmission was received was also collected to determine the transmission gap time (time from ECG acquisition to ECG transmission received) and the advanced notification time (time from ECG transmission received to patient arrival).

RESULTS

There were 388 patients with field ECG interpretations of STEMI, 131 pre-intervention and 257 post-intervention. The frequency of successful transmission post-intervention was 73% compared to 64% prior; risk difference (RD)=9%; 95% CI, 1-18%. In the post-intervention period, the median FMC2B time was 79 minutes (inter-quartile range [IQR]=68-102) versus 86 minutes (IQR=71-108) pre-intervention (P=.3) and the median D2B time was 59 minutes (IQR=44-74) versus 60 minutes (IQR=53-88) pre-intervention (P=.2). The median transmission gap was three minutes (IQR=1-8) and median advanced notification time was 16 minutes (IQR=10-25).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of weekly test ECG transmissions was associated with improvement in successful real-time transmissions from field to hospital, which provided a median advanced notification time of 16 minutes, but no decrease in FMC2B or D2B times. D'ArcyNT, BossonN, KajiAH, BuiQT, FrenchWJ, ThomasJL, ElizarrarazY, GonzalezN, GarciaJ, NiemannJT. Weekly checks improve real-time prehospital ECG transmission in suspected STEMI. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(3):245-249.

The pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction and strategies of protection beyond reperfusion: a continual challenge

The incidence of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has decreased over the last two decades in developed countries, but mortality from STEMI despite widespread access to reperfusion therapy is still substantial as is the development of heart failure, particularly among an expanding older population. In developing countries, the incidence of STEMI is increasing and interventional reperfusion is often not available. We here review the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion, notably the temporal and spatial evolution of ischaemic and reperfusion injury, the different modes of cell death, and the resulting coronary microvascular dysfunction. We then go on to briefly characterize the cardioprotective phenomena of ischaemic preconditioning, ischaemic postconditioning, and remote ischaemic conditioning and their underlying signal transduction pathways. We discuss in detail the attempts to translate conditioning strategies and drug therapy into the clinical setting. Most attempts have failed so far to reduce infarct size and improve clinical outcomes in STEMI patients, and we discuss potential reasons for such failure. Currently, it appears that remote ischaemic conditioning and a few drugs (atrial natriuretic peptide, exenatide, metoprolol, and esmolol) reduce infarct size, but studies with clinical outcome as primary endpoint are still underway.

Coronary intervention door-to-balloon time and outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the relationship between door-to-balloon delay in primary percutaneous coronary intervention and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes and examine for potential effect modifiers.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies that have investigated the relationship of door-to-balloon delay and clinical outcomes. The main outcomes include mortality and heart failure.

RESULTS

32 studies involving 299 320 patients contained adequate data for quantitative reporting. Patients with ST-elevation MI who experienced longer (>90 min) door-to-balloon delay had a higher risk of short-term mortality (pooled OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.65) and medium-term to long-term mortality (pooled OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.06). A non-linear time-risk relation was observed (P=0.004 for non-linearity). The association between longer door-to-balloon delay and short-term mortality differed between those presented early and late after symptom onset (Cochran's Q 3.88, P value 0.049) with a stronger relationship among those with shorter prehospital delays.

CONCLUSION

Longer door-to-balloon delay in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation MI is related to higher risk of adverse outcomes. Prehospital delays modified this effect. The non-linearity of the time-risk relation might explain the lack of population effect despite an improved door-to-balloon time in the USA.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42015026069).

Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction requiring the intensive care unit

Background

Outcomes for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction continue to improve, largely due to timely provision of reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). However, despite prompt and successful PPCI, a small proportion of patients require ventilatory and hemodynamic support in an intensive care unit (ICU). The outcome of these patients remains poorly defined.

Methods

A retrospective review of all consecutive admissions post-PPCI pathway to a single ICU between January 2009 and May 2014 was performed. Patients were analysed based on survival and indication for admission. Preadmission characteristics and ICU course were reviewed. Univariate and multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of outcome.

Results

During the study period 2902 PPCI were performed and 101 patients were admitted to ICU following PPCI (incidence 3.5%). ICU mortality post-PPCI was 33.7%. Pre-ICU admission factors in a multivariable logistic regression analysis associated with increased mortality included requirement for an intra-aortic balloon pump and a high SOFA score.

Conclusions

ICU admission post PPCI is associated with significant mortality. Mortality was related to high presenting SOFA score and need for IABP. These results provide important prognostic information and an acceptable method for risk-stratifying patients with acute myocardial infarction requiring intensive care.

Impact of Regionalization of ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Care on Treatment Times and Outcomes for Emergency Medical Services–Transported Patients Presenting to Hospitals With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background:

Regional variations in reperfusion times and mortality in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction are influenced by differences in coordinating care between emergency medical services (EMS) and hospitals. Building on the Accelerator-1 Project, we hypothesized that time to reperfusion could be further reduced with enhanced regional efforts.

Methods:

Between April 2015 and March 2017, we worked with 12 metropolitan regions across the United States with 132 percutaneous coronary intervention–capable hospitals and 946 EMS agencies. Data were collected in the ACTION (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network)-Get With The Guidelines Registry for quarterly Mission: Lifeline reports. The primary end point was the change in the proportion of EMS-transported patients with first medical contact to device time ≤90 minutes from baseline to final quarter. We also compared treatment times and mortality with patients treated in hospitals not participating in the project during the corresponding time period.

Results:

During the study period, 10 730 patients were transported to percutaneous coronary intervention–capable hospitals, including 974 in the baseline quarter and 972 in the final quarter who met inclusion criteria. Median age was 61 years; 27% were women, 6% had cardiac arrest, and 6% had shock on admission; 10% were black, 12% were Latino, and 10% were uninsured. By the end of the intervention, all process measures reflecting coordination between EMS and hospitals had improved, including the proportion of patients with a first medical contact to device time of ≤90 minutes (67%–74%; P <0.002), a first medical contact to device time to catheterization laboratory activation of ≤20 minutes (38%–56%; P <0.0001), and emergency department dwell time of ≤20 minutes (33%–43%; P <0.0001). Of the 12 regions, 9 regions reduced first medical contact to device time, and 8 met or exceeded the national goal of 75% of patients treated in ≤90 minutes. Improvements in treatment times corresponded with a significant reduction in mortality (in-hospital death, 4.4%–2.3%; P =0.001) that was not apparent in hospitals not participating in the project during the same time period.

Conclusions:

Organization of care among EMS and hospitals in 12 regions was associated with significant reductions in time to reperfusion in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction as well as in in-hospital mortality. These findings support a more intensive regional approach to emergency care for patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Pre-hospital detection of acute ischemic stroke secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion: lessons learned from electrocardiogram and acute myocardial infarction

Currently, there is no device capable of detecting acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) in the pre-hospital setting. The inability to reliably identify patients that would benefit from primary treatment with endovascular thrombectomy remains an important limitation to optimizing emergency medical services (EMS) triage models and time-to-treatment. Several clinical grading scales that rely solely on clinical examination have been proposed and have demonstrated only moderate predictive ability for ELVO. Consequently, a technology capable of detecting ELVO in the pre-hospital setting would be of great benefit. An analogous scenario existed decades ago, in which pre-hospital detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was unreliable until the emergence of the 12-lead ECG and its adoption by EMS providers. This review details the implementation of pre-hospital ECG (PHECG) for the detection of AMI and explores how early experience with PHECG may be applied to ELVO detection devices, once they become available.

Temporal Trends in the Clinical Acuity of Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) systems of care over the last decade, studies have shown no improvement in risk-adjusted mortality. It has been hypothesized that the population presenting to the catheterization laboratory has become sicker over time, in ways not accurately captured by current mortality models. The objective of this study was to examine changes in the clinical characteristics and in-hospital case fatality rate of the STEMI population treated with early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a nationwide inpatient database for the period 2004-2012. All patients with a diagnosis of STEMI who underwent PCI within 24 hours of admission were identified. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2012 there was a consistent increase in unadjusted in-hospital mortality (3.9% in 2004 and 4.7% in 2012, odds ratio_year 1.03; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.04). During this time there was an increase in the proportion of patients with ≥3 Elixhauser comorbidities (14.8% vs 29.0%, P_trend < .001). Intubation or cardiac arrest on presentation increased from 3.2% to 7.8% (P_trend < .001) and had a strong, independent association with mortality. After multivariable adjustment using a model that incorporated the increasing trend in intubation/cardiac arrest, mortality decreased over time (odds ratio_year 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.94-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

During a period that corresponds to improvement in STEMI quality of care, risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality declined. An increase in comorbidities, and more importantly in the proportion of patients presenting with extreme-risk features, may explain the overall "null" effect regarding in-hospital mortality despite improvements in timely reperfusion.

Determinants of short and long door-to-balloon time in current primary percutaneous coronary interventions

Primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have been developed to improve clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In primary PCI, the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) is closely associated with mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to find determinants of short and long DTBT. From our hospital record, we included 214 STEMI patients, and divided into the short DTBT group (DTBT < 60 min, n = 60), the intermediate DTBT group (60 min ≤ DTBT ≤ 120 min, n = 121) and the long DTBT group (DTBT > 120 min, n = 33). In-hospital mortality was highest in the long DTBT group (24.2%), followed by the intermediate DTBT group (5.8%), and lowest in the short DTBT group (0%) (< 0.001). Transfers from local clinics or hospitals (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.72-6.83, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with short DTBT, whereas Killip class 3 or 4 (vs. Killip class 1 or 2: OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.64, P = 0.007) was inversely associated with short DTBT in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, transfer from local clinics/hospitals was associated with short DTBT. Our results may suggest the current limitation of ambulance system, which does not include pre-hospital ECG system, in Japan. The development of pre-hospital ECG system would be needed for better management in STEMI.

Developments in pre-hospital patient transport in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency that benefits from rapid access to specialized care. The objective of this study was to describe developments in patient transport via the pre-hospital emergency medical system (EMS) and its impact on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2008 and July 2015. Patients were divided according to type of admission. Total ischemic time (TIT), door-to-balloon time (DBT) and in-hospital and one-year clinical outcomes were assessed for each group.

RESULTS

A total of 764 patients were included, of whom 33.5% were transported by the EMS and 45.8% by their own means, 13.7% were transferred from another institution and 6.9% were transported by non-EMS ambulance. There was a trend for more frequent recourse to the EMS over the eight-year period. There was a higher percentage of patients with prior myocardial infarction and Killip class III/IV in the EMS group compared to the non-EMS group. Significant differences were seen between groups in reperfusion times, EMS patients having the shortest TIT and DBT (195 vs. 286 min, p<0.001 and 61 vs. 90 min, p<0.001, respectively), but no significant difference in event rates was observed. Patients presenting to the hospital early had higher rates of effective reperfusion and lower in-hospital mortality (6.9% vs. 33.9%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Recourse to the EMS significantly reduced ischemic times. Although this improvement was not directly associated with significant differences in event rates, it was associated with higher rates of effective reperfusion that were reflected in lower in-hospital mortality.

Association of Rapid Care Process Implementation on Reperfusion Times Across Multiple ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Networks

BACKGROUND

The Mission: Lifeline STEMI Systems Accelerator program, implemented in 16 US metropolitan regions, resulted in more patients receiving timely reperfusion. We assessed whether implementing key care processes was associated with system performance improvement.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Hospitals (n=167 with 23 498 ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients) were surveyed before (March 2012) and after (July 2014) program intervention. Data were merged with patient-level clinical data over the same period. For reperfusion, hospitals were grouped by whether a specific process of care was implemented, preexisting, or never implemented. Uptake of 4 key care processes increased after intervention: prehospital catheterization laboratory activation (62%-91%; P<0.001), single call transfer protocol from an outside facility (45%-70%; P<0.001), and emergency department bypass for emergency medical services direct presenters (48%-59%; P=0.002) and transfers (56%-79%; P=0.001). There were significant differences in median first medical contact-to-device times among groups implementing prehospital activation (88 minutes implementers versus 89 minutes preexisting versus 98 minutes nonimplementers; P<0.001 for comparisons). Similarly, patients treated at hospitals implementing single call transfer protocols had shorter median first medical contact-to-device times (112 versus 128 versus 152 minutes; P<0.001). Emergency department bypass was also associated with shorter median first medical contact-to-device times for emergency medical services direct presenters (84 versus 88 versus 94 minutes; P<0.001) and transfers (123 versus 127 versus 167 minutes; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Accelerator program increased uptake of key care processes, which were associated with improved system performance. These findings support efforts to implement regional ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction networks focused on prehospital catheterization laboratory activation, single call transfer protocols, and emergency department bypass.

Urban-Rural Comparisons in Hospital Admission, Treatments, and Outcomes for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in China From 2001 to 2011: A Retrospective Analysis From the China PEACE Study (Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events)

BACKGROUND

In response to urban-rural disparities in healthcare resources, China recently launched a healthcare reform with a focus on improving rural care during the past decade. However, nationally representative studies comparing medical care and patient outcomes between urban and rural areas in China during this period are not available.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We created a nationally representative sample of patients in China admitted for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction in 2001, 2006, and 2011, using a 2-stage random sampling design in 2 urban and 3 rural strata. In China, evidence-based treatments were provided less often in 2001 in rural hospitals, which had lower volume and less availability of advanced cardiac facilities. However, these differences diminished by 2011 for reperfusion therapy (54% in urban versus 57% in rural; P=0.1) and reversed for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (66% versus 68%; P=0.04) and early β-blockers (56% versus 60%; P=0.01). The risk-adjusted rate of in-hospital death or withdrawal from treatment was not significantly different between urban and rural hospitals in any study year, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.13 (0.77-1.65) in 2001, 0.99 (0.77-1.27) in 2006, and 0.94 (0.74-1.19) in 2011.

CONCLUSIONS

Although urban-rural disparities in evidence-based treatment for myocardial infarction in China have largely been eliminated, substantial gaps in quality of care persist in both settings. In addition, urban hospitals providing more resource-intensive care did not achieve better outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01624883.

Effect of Shorter Door-to-Balloon Times Over 20 Years on Outcomes of Patients With Anterior ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of mortality. We studied the change in outcomes for anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) between 1995 and 2014. Over the past 20 years, 1,658 patients presenting to our center with anterior STEMI underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 hours of presentation. We divided these into 4 quartiles, 1995 to 1999 (n = 312), 2000 to 2004 (n = 408), 2005 to 2009 (n = 428), and 2010 to 2014 (n = 510). Across the 4 quartiles, mean age decreased (64.4, 62, 60.3, and 60 years, p <0.01). In all groups, there was a significant rise in prevalence of smoking, hypertension, and obesity. The median length of hospital stay decreased (6, 4.4, 4.2, and 3.6 days, p <0.01), as did the median door-to-balloon time (DBT) (217, 194, 135, and 38 minutes, p <0.01). Thirty-day and 1-year mortality improved over time (14.4%, 11.8%, 8.4%, and 7.8%; and 20.5%, 16.4%, 15.9%, and 13.9%) (p = 0.01 both). Also, 3-year mortality improved (25.3%, 21.6%, 21.3%, and 16.5%, p = 0.02). After adjusting for age, gender, co-morbidities, ejection fraction, clinical shock, and mitral regurgitation, shorter DBT was associated with lower long-term mortality (compared with DBT <60 minutes; 60 to 90 minutes hazard ratio [HR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93 to 3.00, p = 0.084; 90 to 120 minutes, HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.95, p = 0.04; >120 minutes, HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.96, p = 0.004). In conclusion, over the past 2 decades, long-term outcomes improved in patients presenting with anterior STEMI associated with shortening of DBT.

Mortality, readmission and length of stay have different relationships using hospital-level versus patient-level data: an example of the ecological fallacy affecting hospital performance indicators

BACKGROUND

Ecological fallacy refers to an erroneous inference about individuals on the basis of findings for the group to which those individuals belong. Suppose analysis of a large database shows that hospitals with a high proportion of long length of stay (LOS) patients also have higher than average in-hospital mortality. This may prompt efforts to reduce mortality among patients with long LOS. But patients with long LOS may not be the ones at higher risk of death. It may be that hospitals with higher mortality (regardless of LOS) also have more long LOS patients-either because of quality problems on both counts or because of unaccounted differences in case mix. To provide more insight how the ecological fallacy influences the evaluation of hospital performance indicators, we assessed whether hospital-level associations between in-hospital mortality, readmission and long LOS reflect patient-level associations.

METHODS

Patient admissions from the Dutch National Medical Registration (2007-2012) for specific diseases (stroke, colorectal carcinoma, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and hip/knee replacements in patients with osteoarthritis) were analysed, as well as all admissions. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess patient-level associations. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to quantify hospital-level associations.

RESULTS

Overall, we observed 2.2% in-hospital mortality, 8.1% readmissions and a mean LOS of 5.9 days among 8 478 884 admissions in 95 hospitals. Of the 10 disease-specific associations tested, 2 were reversed at hospital-level, 3 were consistent and 5 were only significant at either hospital-level or patient-level. A reversed association was found for stroke: patients with long LOS had 58% lower in-hospital mortality (OR 0.42 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.44)), whereas the hospital-level association was reversed (r=0.30, p<0.01). Similar negative patient-level associations were found for each hospital, but LOS varied across hospitals, thereby resulting in a positive hospital-level association. A similar effect was found for long LOS and readmission in patients with heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital-level associations did not reflect the same patient-level associations in 7 of 10 associations, and were even reversed in 2 associations. Ecological fallacy thus potentially influences interpretation of hospital performance when patient-level associations are not taken into account.

How has the management of acute coronary syndrome changed in the Russian Federation during the last 10 years?

•

The substantial investment in interventional cardiology in the Russian Federation in the past 10 year has improved access to care

•

Substantial geographical variations remain in terms of access to cardiology interventions

•

In-hospital mortality from myocardial infarction has declined most in regions that have achieved the highest intervention rates.

Methods

We report trends and patterns of percutaneous cardiovascular interventions (PCI) by region for 2005–2009, with more detailed data on management of myocardial infarctions in 2009–2103, relating them to regional economic development and changes in mortality from myocardial infarction.

Results

PCIs per 100,000 population increased from 8.7 in 2005–71.3 in 2013, with considerable regional variation. In 2013 the highest rates were in the wealthiest regions, although not in some remote regions dependent on oil and mineral extraction. Between 2009 and 2013 rates of thrombolysis in those with acute myocardial infarctions potentially eligible for treatment remained broadly similar at about 28% but rates of primary revascularisation with stenting rose rapidly, from 6.5% to 23.7%. In-hospital mortality from myocardial infarction since 2009 has declined most in regions achieving highest rates of primary revascularisation.

Conclusions

The sustained investment in advanced cardiovascular technology has been associated with substantial increases in revascularisation in some but not all regions. However, rates overall remain far behind those in Western Europe. Further research is in progress to understand the reasons for these variations and the barriers to further expansion of services.

Review. Regional Networks in Acute Cardiac Care

In acute cardiac care, the timely initiation of life-saving measures proved to be life-saving and requires many organizational and logistic measures. One of such measures is represented by the development and implementation of a regional network dedicated for the treatment of major cardiovascular emergencies, a strategy that proved to significantly reduce mortality rates on short and long term. This review aims to describe the current status in the development of regional networks in three of the main cardiovascular emergencies: acute myocardial infarction, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and acute stroke. The concepts demonstrating the utility of such networks, together with their results in reducing cardiac events, are presented in this paper.

The management of acute myocardial infarction in the Russian Federation: protocol for a study of patient pathways

Background: Death rates from cardiovascular disease in Russia are among the highest in the world. In recent years, the Russian government has invested substantially in the healthcare system, with a particular focus on improving access to advanced technology, especially for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This protocol describes a study to understand the management of AMI in different Russian regions, investigating the role of patient, clinical, and health system characteristics.

Methods: A prospective observational study has recruited a representative sample of AMI patients within 16 hospitals from 13 regions across Russia. Criteria for inclusion are being aged 35-70 years with a confirmed diagnosis of AMI and surviving until the day after admission. Information being collected includes health system contacts and features of clinical management prior to the event and in the 12 months following discharge from hospital. Following initial exploration of the data to generate hypotheses, multivariate analyses will be applied to assess the role of these characteristics in both treatment decisions and any delays in time critical interventions. Between June 2015 and August 2016, 1,122 patients have been recruited at baseline and follow-up to 12 months post-discharge is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2017. The study is unique in examining patient factors, clinical management prior to admission and in hospital in the acute phase and throughout the critical first year of recovery across a diverse range of geographies and facilities. It uses standardized instruments to collect data from patients and health care providers and includes regions that are diverse in terms of geography and development of cardiology capacity. However, given the limited health services research capacity in the Russian Federation, it was not possible to obtain a sample that was truly nationally representative.

The management of acute myocardial infarction in the Russian Federation: protocol for a study of patient pathways

Background: Death rates from cardiovascular disease in Russia are among the highest in the world. In recent years, the Russian government has invested substantially in the healthcare system, with a particular focus on improving access to advanced technology, especially for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This protocol describes a study to understand the management of AMI in different Russian regions, investigating the role of patient, clinical, and health system characteristics. Methods: A prospective observational study has recruited a representative sample of AMI patients from 16 hospitals in 13 regions across Russia. Criteria for inclusion are being aged 35-70 years with a confirmed diagnosis of AMI and surviving until the day after admission. Information being collected includes health system contacts and features of clinical management prior to the event and in the 12 months following discharge from hospital. Following initial exploration of the data to generate hypotheses, multilevel modelling will be applied to assess the role of these characteristics in both treatment decisions and any delays in time critical interventions. Between June 2015 and August 2016, 1,122 patients have been recruited at baseline and follow-up to 12 months post-discharge is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2017. The study is unique in examining patient factors, clinical management prior to admission and in hospital in the acute phase and throughout the critical first year of recovery across a diverse range of geographies and facilities. It uses standardized instruments to collect data from patients and health care providers and includes regions that are diverse in terms of geography and development of cardiology capacity. However, given the limited health services research capacity in the Russian Federation, it was not possible to obtain a sample that was truly nationally representative.