Regionalized STEMI Centers Provide 90-Minute Door-to-Balloon Times

After implementation of a regionalized system of STEMI care in Los Angeles County, almost 90% of patients had door-to-balloon times within 90 minutes.

The American Heart Association established a benchmark of 90 minutes from hospital arrival to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Researchers prospectively evaluated times to PCI during the first year after implementation of a regionalized system of STEMI care in Los Angeles County. Of 71 paramedic receiving centers in the region, 31 with 24/7 PCI capability were designated as STEMI receiving centers. Paramedics were instructed to perform 12-lead electrocardiograms on all patients older than 35 who had chest pain or other signs or symptoms suggestive of an acute cardiac condition (e.g., shortness of breath). Decision to transport to a STEMI receiving center was based…

Reviewing Author

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Editorial boardsKoenig & Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Editorial boardsKoenig & Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices