[STEMI network Essen-in-hospital results]

Short term cost effectiveness of a regional myocardial infarction network

AIMS

Myocardial infarction networks have been shown to improve guideline adherent therapy and outcomes in patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our objective was to assess the short term cost effectiveness of a network structure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Outcome data and reimbursement data for the index hospital stay were gathered in consecutive patients with acute STEMI (n = 536) admitted to any of the hospitals in a 350.000 inhabitant rural network area during the years 2002 (n = 185), 2005 (n = 163) and 2008 (n = 188). Network structure was established between 2002 and 2005 aiming for identical treatment of all acute STEMI patients during 24 h/7d a week with primary angioplasty. Patient baseline characteristics in the different years were quite comparable. From 2002 to 2005 regional hospital mortality in STEMI patients decreased from 16% to 9%. Lower mortality under network conditions was confirmed in 2008. Reimbursement data of different years were standardized to exclude effects not induced by the network. The mean initial costs per saved live during the index stay were €7727 with a 95%-confidence interval of €-3.500 to €36.700 (referenced to the German reimbursement in 2005).

CONCLUSION

The short term cost effectiveness of a myocardial infarction network organisation is within well accepted boundaries under conditions of the German reimbursement system.

Effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 hours to 28 days of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a real-world Chinese population

Objectives

Percutaneous coronary intervention( PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been widely accepted for patient who come within 12 hours, but for those who come to the hospital late (12 hours to 28 days) the long-term data and possible predictors are limited regarding ‘hard’ endpoints in ‘real world’.

Methods

The registry data of all 5523 consecutive patients admitted due to an incident STEMI (12 hours to 28 days) in our center were analyzed. Patients were divided into 3 age groups (age<65; age = 65–74; age ≥75) and two therapeutic groups including conservative and PCI group. The primary endpoints included 30-day mortality and 1-year mortality.

Results

The clinical characteristics include female gender; history of diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular disease, chronic renal failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, anemia, gastric bleeding; presentation of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, pneumonia, heart failure, multiple organ failure and cardiogenic shock. The ratio of all the above factors increased with the age getting older (all p<0.05), while that of the PCI decreased significantly with ageing (53.9%, 36.3% and 21.7%). Except hypertension, all the other factors were less seen in the PCI group than in the conservative group (p<0.01). Pooled estimates, based on type of therapy and age groups, PCI resulted in significantly lower 30-day and 1-year mortality. Cox analysis showed the positive predictors for 30 days and 1 year mortality were heart failure, cerebral vascular disease, chronic renal failure, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, age, female, gastric intestinal bleeding, cardiogenic shock, multiple organ failure, while PCI was a negative predictor. ROCs analysis showed AUCs were always higher for PCI group.

Conclusions

The elderly have more comorbidities and higher rates of mortality, mandating thorough evaluation before acceptance for PCI. PCI between 12 hours to 28 days in all ages of patients including the elderly with STEMI is significantly more effective than conservative therapy.

Primary angioplasty for any patient with ST-elevation myocardial infarction? Guideline-adherent feasibility and impact on mortality in a rural infarction network

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the guideline-adherent feasibility of area-wide primary angioplasty in rural German surroundings and its impact on reperfusion and outcome in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

All consecutive patients with acute STEMI (n = 347) admitted to any of the hospitals (5 non invasive and 1 invasive with established 24 h/7 days primary angioplasty service) in a 350.000 inhabitant rural area during the year 2002 (n = 184) and 2005 (n = 163) were included in this registry. In 2002, emergency medical services transferred acute STEMI patients to the nearest emergency room, where reperfusion therapy (fibrinolysis or primary angioplasty) was organised. In 2005, all patients were transferred directly to the cathlab bypassing any emergency room when possible. Primary angioplasty increased from 53 to 89% (p < 0.01), fibrinolysis decreased from 27 to 2% (p < 0.01) and the no revascularisation rate from 21 to 9% (p < 0.01). Onset of pain to balloon time in primary angioplasty was reduced from median 339 to 191 min (p < 0.01), median first medical contact to balloon time in 2005 was 101 min. Overall, 6-month mortality decreased from 19 to 10% (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

After transition to a uniform primary angioplasty concept, an increase in overall reperfusion rates and a decrease in time delays could be observed in a rural German infarction network.