Abstract
ObjectiveFor patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 120 minutes from onset is recommended. A helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) is useful for transporting ACS patients. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether patients with ACS in the eastern part of Hokkaido could be transported to a PCI hospital by HEMS and undergo PCI within 120 minutes and to clarify the factors most related to delayed access to PCI. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study that analyzed 513 patients diagnosed with ACS at our institution, an HEMS base/PCI hospital. We investigated transport modes for each patient and identified the processes by which access to PCI was delayed. ResultsHEMS reduced transport time compared with ground emergency medical services but did not contribute to access to PCI within 120 minutes. The most important factor was transport directly to a PCI hospital (P < .01). ConclusionHEMS did not achieve a total transport time of patients to a PCI hospital within 120 minutes from onset. Transport using HEMS is insufficient to access early PCI; patient condition must also be considered to determine whether to go through a non-PCI hospital.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
