Analysis of the factors influencing the delay times of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract

The time elapsing from myocardial infarction onset to revascularization is prognostic; the most myocardium can be saved in the first hours. According to the Hungarian Myocardial Infarction Registry, the total ischaemic time is long in Hungary. We aimed to identify the factors influencing the delay times of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We performed a prospective clinical study and collected data from 121 patients presenting with STEMI at the Cardiology Center of the University of Szeged in 2019. We filled out a questionnaire by interviewing patients after primary coronary intervention. The medians of the patient delay, prehospital delay time and total ischaemic time were 83, 252 and 304 minutes, respectively. When the Ambulance Service (AS) was notified, every delay time was significantly shorter than those measured when the Emergency Department or the general practitioner was notified. The place of residence of the patients significantly influenced the delay times and the chosen pathway of healthcare: median patient delays were 60 and 147 minutes in cities and villages, respectively; AS was called first by 50% of urban patients vs. 25% of rural patients. Knowing the emergency number was associated with reduced delay times. Delay times were long. The chosen pathway of healthcare had the greatest impact on the delay times. Urban people reported their complaints sooner, were more likely to choose the best healthcare pathway (AS), thus their delay times were shorter. These suggest that it is important to educate the society, especially rural communities. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(11): 438-445.