The Importance of Being Timely

In a population-based cohort with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, time to reperfusion had a stronger effect than method of reperfusion on outcomes.

Clinical trial and registry data show that rapid coronary reperfusion improves outcomes in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To assess the importance of timely treatment in a broader population, investigators evaluated STEMI care from October 2006 through March 2007 at 80 hospitals where >95% of patients with acute MI in Quebec, Canada, are treated.

Of 2356 STEMI patients, 61.1% received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), 16.6% received fibrinolysis, and 22.2% received neither intervention. At 30 days, mortality was 6.1% in fibrinolytic recipients and 5.2% in PPCI recipients. At 1 year, mortality was 7.4% in fibrinolytic recipients and 7.9% in PPCI recipients, and the rates of combined death or…

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute