Chest Radiography Should Not Be Routinely Performed Prior to Cardiac Catheterization in Patients With ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) represents the most devastating form of acute coronary syndrome. Prompt reperfusion, ideally through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), optimizes outcomes among patients with STEMI. Delays in percutaneous coronary intervention, as measured by door-to-balloon time, are associated with a significant rise in mortality. Indeed, a recent Cochrane Review estimated that every 30-minute delay in door-to-balloon time results in a 17% relative increase in short-term mortality.