The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine (Jan 2020)

Pre-hospital delay and emergency medical services in acute myocardial infarction

  • Seung Hun Lee,
  • Hyun Kuk Kim,
  • Myung Ho Jeong,
  • Joo Myung Lee,
  • Hyeon-Cheol Gwon,
  • Shung Chull Chae,
  • In-Whan Seong,
  • Jong-Seon Park,
  • Jei Keon Chae,
  • Seung-Ho Hur,
  • Kwang Soo Cha,
  • Hyo-Soo Kim,
  • Ki-Bae Seung,
  • Seung-Woon Rha,
  • Tae Hoon Ahn,
  • Chong-Jin Kim,
  • Jin-Yong Hwang,
  • Dong-Ju Choi,
  • Junghan Yoon,
  • Seung-Jae Joo,
  • Kyung-Kuk Hwang,
  • Doo-Il Kim,
  • Seok Kyu Oh,
  • for the KAMIR Investigators

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2019.123
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 1
pp. 119 – 132

Abstract

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Background/Aims Minimising total ischemic time (TIT) is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). TIT has not shown a significant improvement due to persistent pre-hospital delay. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with pre-hospital delay. Methods Individuals enrolled in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health between 2011 and 2015 were included in this study. The study population was analyzed according to the symptom-to-door time (STDT; within 60 or > 60 minutes), and according to the type of hospital visit (emergency medical services [EMS], non-PCI center, or PCI center). Results A total of 4,874 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 28.4% arrived at the hospital within 60 minutes of symptom-onset. Old age (> 65 years), female gender, and renewed ischemia were independent predictors of delayed STDT. Utilising EMS was the only factor shown to reduce STDT within 60 minutes, even when cardiogenic shock was evident. The overall frequency of EMS utilisation was low (21.7%). Female gender was associated with not utilising EMS, whereas cardiogenic shock, previous myocardial infarction, familial history of ischemic heart disease, and off-hour visits were associated with utilising EMS. Conclusions Factors associated with delayed STDT and not utilising EMS could be targets for preventive intervention to improve STDT and TIT.

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