D2B Time Research Articles

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment, treatment patterns and outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with respect to time to treatment, treatment pattern...

Reducing Door-to-Balloon Time Using EMS-Initiated App-Based Communication

BackgroundReducing door-to-balloon (D2B) time for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been shown to improve outcomes. Delays still occur due to various factors such as time to laboratory activation and diagnostic clarification in equivocal cases. We propose that early communication through a mobile application (app) between emergency medical services (EMS) and in-hospital providers can reduce EMS-to-balloon time and provide coordinated care to impact D2B time. MethodsThe General Devices e-Bridge mobile app, which allows real-time communication and data transmission between EMS providers and the cardiac catheterization laboratory and emergency department staff, was implemented on May 14, 2019. A single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted on 795 STEMI activations undergoing emergent coronary angiography between January 2017 and July 2020. After exclusions, EMS transmissions of 428 cases were analyzed, of which 132 used the app. ResultsImplementation of e-Bridge significantly reduced D2B time by 7.2 minutes (P = .005) and emergency department board time by 4.41 minutes (P = .01). First medical contact to balloon (FMC2B) time trended toward reduction but was not statistically significant. The app did not significantly reduce D2B or FMC2B time during the day shift but significantly improved these metrics during the night shift. ConclusionsImplementation of app-based communication between EMS and in-hospital providers resulted in statistically significant reductions in D2B time at our institution. This approach holds promise in improving the timely management of STEMI patients, particularly during the night shift.

Presenting Off-Hours, Door-to-Balloon Time, and Clinical Results in Patients Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: The timely management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) through primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) significantly impacts patient outcomes. However, the influence of off-hours presentation (nights, weekends, and holidays) on door-to-balloon (D2B) time and clinical outcomes remains a pivotal concern, as it potentially affects the efficiency of care and patient prognosis. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association between off-hours presentation, D2B time, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI, to identify potential disparities in treatment efficacy and to inform strategies for improving cardiovascular emergency care. Methods: Conducting a retrospective cross-sectional analysis, this study included 90 patients admitted with STEMI who underwent primary PCI at a tertiary care center between March 2022 and March 2023. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the timing of hospital presentation: off-hours and regular hours. Primary outcomes assessed were D2B time, mortality rates, and incidences of cardiogenic shock and heart failure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. Results: The mean D2B time for patients presenting during off-hours was significantly longer (96.4 ± 12.3 minutes) compared to those presenting during regular hours (84.6 ± 9.8 minutes, p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in mortality rates (off-hours 4.4% vs. regular hours 6.7%, p=0.155), cardiogenic shock (off-hours 6.7% vs. regular hours 4.4%, p=0.351), or heart failure (off-hours 8.9% vs. regular hours 6.7%, p=0.214). Multivariable analysis confirmed off-hours presentation as an independent predictor of prolonged D2B time (coefficient 11.8, 95% CI 8.2-15.5). Conclusion: Off-hours presentation is associated with significantly longer D2B times in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, underscoring the need for healthcare systems to address the disparities in care delivery during off-hours. However, no significant differences in short-term clinical outcomes were observed, suggesting that factors beyond D2B time contribute to patient prognosis. Further studies are warranted to explore comprehensive strategies to optimize care irrespective of presentation time.

Impact of the Integrated Activation System on Door-to-Balloon Times and Clinical Outcomes in STEMI Patients Receiving Primary PCI.

The door-to-balloon (D2B) time is a critical quality measure in managing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We developed an integrated STEMI activation system, named Acute Myocardial Infarction Software Aids (AMISTAD), to optimize care for STEMI patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the AMISTAD system on D2B times and clinical outcomes. We retrospectively collected data of consecutive STEMI patients receiving primary PCI between July 2017 and December 2018 at a single center. The patients were categorized into AMISTAD and non-AMISTAD groups. Outcomes included D2B time, length of hospital stay, and 12-month cardiovascular outcomes. Data were analyzed using multiple regression models; subgroup and sensitivity analyses were applied to examine the robustness of the results. A total of 114 STEMI patients were enrolled (38 AMISTAD, 76 non-AMISTAD). The AMISTAD group had a significantly shorter mean D2B time (66.7 ± 13.2 vs. 76.6 ± 24.9 minutes, p = 0.02) and non-significantly shorter length of hospital stay (4.7 vs. 7.2 days, p = 0.09). The 12-month cardiovascular outcomes between the two groups were not significantly different (adjusted hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.30-2.09, p = 0.64). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses had consistent outcomes. Integrating the AMISTAD system into the STEMI workflow was associated with a reduced D2B time and shorter hospital stay. Further research involving larger cohorts and extended follow-up periods is needed to assess the generalizability and impact on cardiovascular outcomes. The AMISTAD system has the potential to improve the quality of care for STEMI patients.

Shortening Door-to-Balloon Time: The Use of Ambulance versus Private Vehicle for Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Time is critical when dealing with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients in the Emergency Department (ED), as 90 min is crucial for overall health. Using non-EMS transportation for critical patients, such as patients with acute myocardial infarction, to a hospital might delay the rapid identification of the underlying medical disease and initiating definitive treatment. We aim to evaluate the association between the mode of transportation and the D2B time in patients presenting at the ED with AMI. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with patients who presented at ED with AMI and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The participants were patients with confirmed AMI at the ED of King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC) from January 2019 to December 2019. In total, 162 AMI patients were enrolled in the study and divided based on the method of transportation. Less than half (n=65, 40.1%) were transported with an ambulance and 97 (59.9%) patients with a private car. The door-to-balloon (D2B) time for the ambulance group was 93.6±38.31 minutes, and the private car group was 93.8±30.88 minutes. There was no statistical significance when comparing the D2B time between the private car group and the ambulance group (P = 0.1870). Finally, ambulance transport significantly shortened the time to first ED physician contact. However, it was not associated with shortened D2B time when compared to private vehicle transport.

The Influence of Presentation Timing and Door to Balloon Timing on the Clinical Outcomes in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

For best clinical results, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) must be treated quickly. This prospective observational study, conducted at Peshawar institute of cardiology (PIC), Pakistan, from November 23, 2022, to August 16, 2023, examines the connection between clinical outcomes in 120 primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) cases, presentation timing (the period of time from symptom onset to hospital arrival), and Door-to-Balloon (D2B) time. Objective: to pave the road for more efficient, patient-centered care by fostering a more thorough awareness of the complexities involved in the management of acute STEMI. Methods: Demographic data, presentation timing, D2B times, and clinical outcomes were collected. Correlation analysis and regression modeling were employed to investigate the impact of presentation timing on D2B time and clinical outcomes. Sub-group analyses were conducted based on age and gender. Results: The relevance of an early presentation was highlighted by the study's substantial negative association between presentation timing and D2B time (r = -0.62, p 0.001). Smaller myocardial infarct sizes and a decreased frequency of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were seen in patients with D2B times under 90 minutes. Age and gender differences were seen in this connection, according to subgroup analysis. Conclusion: Timely patient presentation is crucial in achieving shorter D2B times, leading to improved clinical outcomes in primary PCI for STEMI. These findings underscore the need for public awareness campaigns and streamlined hospital protocols to optimize STEMI management.

Sex Differences in Symptom Complexity and Door-to-Balloon Time in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Greater symptom complexity in women than in men could slow acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recognition and delay door-to-balloon (D2B) times. We sought to determine the sex differences in symptom complexity and their relation to D2B times in 1,677 young and older patients with STEMI using data from the VIRGO and SILVER-AMI studies. Symptom complexity was defined by the number of symptom patterns or phenotypes and average number of symptoms. The numbers of symptom phenotypes were compared in women and men using the Monte Carlo permutation testing. Groups were also compared using the generalized linear regression and logistic regression. The number of symptom phenotypes (244 vs 171, p=0.02), mean number of symptoms (4.7 vs 4.2, p <0.001), and mean D2B time (114.6 vs 97.8minutes, p=0.004) were greater in young women than in young men but were not significantly different in older women compared with older men. The regression analysis did not show a relation between symptom complexity and D2B time overall; although, chest pain was a significant predictor of D2B times, and young women were more likely to report symptoms other than chest pain. Among patients with STEMI, 36% did not receive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which was associated with presentation delay >6hours. In patients with STEMI with either D2B time ≥90minutes or no PCI, women had significantly more symptom phenotypes overall and in VIRGO but not in SILVER-AMI. In conclusion, the markers of symptom complexity were not associated with D2B time overall, but more symptom phenotypes in young women were associated with prolonged D2B time or no PCI. In addition, greater frequency of nonchest pain symptoms in young women may have also slowed the recognition of STEMI and D2B times in young women. Further research on symptoms clusters is needed to improve the recognition of STEMIs to improve the D2B times in young women.

Implementation of an All-Day Artificial Intelligence–Based Triage System to Accelerate Door-to-Balloon Times

ObjectiveTo implement an all-day artificial intelligence (AI)–based system to facilitate chest pain triage in the emergency department. MethodsThe AI-based triage system encompasses an AI model combining a convolutional neural network and long short-term memory to detect ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on electrocardiography (ECG) and a clinical risk score (ASAP) to prioritize patients for ECG examination. The AI model was developed on 2907 twelve-lead ECGs: 882 STEMI and 2025 non-STEMI ECGs. ResultsBetween November 1, 2019, and October 31, 2020, we enrolled 154 consecutive patients with STEMI: 68 during the AI-based triage period and 86 during the conventional triage period. The mean ± SD door-to-balloon (D2B) time was significantly shortened from 64.5±35.3 minutes to 53.2±12.7 minutes (P=.007), with 98.5% vs 87.2% (P=.009) of D2B times being less than 90 minutes in the AI group vs the conventional group. Among patients with an ASAP score of 3 or higher, the median door-to-ECG time decreased from 30 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 7−59 minutes) to 6 minutes (IQR, 4−30 minutes) (P<.001). The overall performances of the AI model in identifying STEMI from 21,035 ECGs assessed by accuracy, precision, recall, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, F1 score, and specificity were 0.997, 0.802, 0.977, 0.999, 0.881, and 0.998, respectively. ConclusionImplementation of an all-day AI-based triage system significantly reduced the D2B time, with a corresponding increase in the percentage of D2B times less than 90 minutes in the emergency department. This system may help minimize preventable delays in D2B times for patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Culprit vessel revascularization first with primary use of a dedicated transradial guiding catheter to reduce door to balloon time in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

The effect of a single transradial guiding catheter (STGC) for culprit vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) first on door-to-balloon (D2B) time remains unclear. Between February 2017 and July 2019, 560 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were randomized into either the STGC group (n = 280) or the control group (n = 280) according to direct culprit vessel PCI with a STGC. In the STGC group, a dedicated transraidal guiding catheter (6F either MAC3.5 or JL3.5) was used for the treatment of electrocardiogram (ECG)-guided culprit vessel first and later contralateral angiography. In the control group, a universal diagnostic catheter (5F Tiger II) was used for complete coronary angiography, followed by guiding catheter selection for culprit vessel PCI. The primary endpoint was D2B time, and the secondary endpoint included catheterization laboratory door-to-balloon (C2B), procedural, fluoroscopy times, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days. The median D2B time was significantly shorter in the STGC group compared to the control group (53.9 vs. 58.4 min; p = 0.003). The C2B, procedural, and fluoroscopy times were also shorter in the STGC group (C2B: 17.3 vs. 24.5 min, p < 0.001; procedural: 45.2 vs. 49.0 min, p = 0.012; and fluoroscopy: 9.7 vs. 11.3 min, p = 0.025). More patients achieved the goal of D2B time within 90 min (93.9% vs. 87.1%, p = 0.006) and 60 min (61.4% vs. 51.1%, p = 0.013) in the STGC group. Radial artery perforation (RAP) was significantly reduced in the STGC group compared with the control group (0.7% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.033). MACE at 30 days was similar (2.5% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.172) between the two groups. ECG-guided immediate intervention on culprit vessel with a STGC can reduce D2B, C2B, procedural, and fluoroscopy times (ECG-guided Immediate Primary PCI for Culprit Vessel to Reduce Door to Device Time; NCT03272451).

Strengthening emergency care systems to improve patient care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at a high-volume tertiary care centre in India

BackgroundST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a highly time-sensitive and life-threatening condition. Early recognition and timely management are challenging in a busy emergency department (ED), especially in low/middle-income countries where emergency...

Effects of COVID-19 on STEMI Patients: Single-Center Experience.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and also to assess changes in patient characteristics, door-in-to-door-out (DIDO) time, door-to-balloon time (D2B) time, and STEMI outcomes during the pandemic. Patient data were retrieved retrospectively from the electronic medical record system of King Hamad University Hospital and Mohammed Bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Data were compared and analyzed for the two time periods: before the pandemic (January 2019-March 2020) and during the pandemic (April 2020June 2021). There was a decline of 11.1% in patients who presented with STEMI during the pandemic. There were no major differences between the patient demographics and the baseline characteristics during the two study periods. Recommended DIDO time and D2B time could be achieved only for 7.1% and 35.7% of all STEMI cases during the pandemic. However, no significant differences were noted in the 30 days of mortality, reinfarction, cardiogenic shock, hospital length of stay, and return to the hospital within 30 days for the STEMI patients in the two time periods. There was a decline in patients who presented with STEMI during the pandemic. This was also associated with a lower number of STEMI cases achieving the recommended DIDO time and D2B time as compared to the prepandemic period. However, there was no significant difference in the patient outcomes in the two time periods.

Radial Artery Access for Acute Coronary Syndromes: a Review of Current Evidence.

To review the evidence supporting the use of transradial access (TRA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). There have been five major randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two recent meta-analyses comparing outcomes of TRA and femoral access (FA) in ACS. Additional studies have explored the impact of TRA on STEMI door-to-balloon (D2B) times, TRA in high-risk ACS patients, the potential conflict between TRA and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery employing the radial artery, and distal radial artery (DRA) access. TRA is associated with a reduction in net adverse clinical events, major bleeding, acute renal injury, and access site complications compared to FA in ACS patients undergoing PCI. TRA is not associated with significant delays in STEMI D2B times that impact patient outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of TRA in high-risk ACS patients, the interplay between TRA and radial artery CABG, and use of DRA in ACS.

Door to balloon time in primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST elevation myocardial infarction: every minute counts.

This study examines relationships between door to balloon (D2B) time and subsequent admissions due to heart failure (HF), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and mortality for up to 1 year. Current guidelines set 90-min for D2B time for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) as a goal, which has been shown to reduce mortality and adverse events. Using the MDclone ADAMS system integrated with our electronic medical records, we conducted retrospective analysis of all patients admitted due to ST-elevation myocardial infarction from home, without any history of HF or coronary disease, and who underwent PPCI during 2013-2019. Data on D2B time, baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, and outcomes of HF, ACS and mortality were collected. Adjusted HR for each of the outcomes was calculated by multivariate Cox model. A total of 826 patients were included in the final analysis. D2B had no significant effect on incidence of heart failure admissions for up to 1-year follow-up. D2B had a significant effect on mortality at 180 days, showing a 30% increase for each 30-min increase (HR 1.308; CI, 1.046-1.635) as for ACS at 90 days (HR 1.307; 1.025-1.638). The 30-min D2B cutoff showed a significant increase in ACS recurrence throughout the follow-up period at 90 days (HR 2.871, 1.239-6.648), 180 days (HR 2.607, 1.255-5.413), and 1 year (HR 1.886, 1.073-3.317). Patients with shorter D2B times had significantly reduced mortality and recurrence of ACS, with no effect on heart failure admission incidence.

A Retrospective Clinical Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence Screening Method for Early Detection of STEMI in the Emergency Department.

BackgroundRapid revascularization is the key to better patient outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Direct activation of cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) using artificial intelligence (AI) interpretation of initial electrocardiography (ECG) might help reduce door-to-balloon (D2B) time. To prove that this approach is feasible and beneficial, we assessed the non-inferiority of such a process over conventional evaluation and estimated its clinical benefits, including a reduction in D2B time, medical cost, and 1-year mortality.MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective study of emergency department (ED) patients suspected of having STEMI from January 2021 to June 2021. Quantitative ECG (QCG™), a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation system, was used for screening. The non-inferiority of the AI-driven CCL activation over joint clinical evaluation by emergency physicians and cardiologists was tested using a 5% non-inferiority margin.ResultsEighty patients (STEMI, 54 patients [67.5%]) were analyzed. The area under the curve of QCG score was 0.947. Binned at 50 (binary QCG), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 98.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.6%, 100.0%), 76.9% (95% CI, 60.7%, 93.1%), 89.8% (95% CI, 82.1%, 97.5%) and 95.2% (95% CI, 86.1%, 100.0%), respectively. The difference in sensitivity and specificity between binary QCG and the joint clinical decision was 3.7% (95% CI, −3.5%, 10.9%) and 19.2% (95% CI, −4.7%, 43.1%), respectively, confirming the non-inferiority. The estimated median reduction in D2B time, evaluation cost, and the relative risk of 1-year mortality were 11.0 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 7.3–20.0 minutes), 26,902.2 KRW (22.78 USD) per STEMI patient, and 12.39% (IQR, 7.51–22.54%), respectively.ConclusionAI-assisted CCL activation using initial ECG is feasible. If such a policy is implemented, it would be reasonable to expect some reduction in D2B time, medical cost, and 1-year mortality.

Prognostic Implications of the Admission Cardiac Troponin I Levels and Door-to-Balloon Time on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BackgroundThe prognostic implications of the admission cTnI level and D2B time combined on in-hospital and 1-year heart failure (HF) and mortality in STEMI patients undergoing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are remain uncertain.Methods and ResultsWe divided the consecutive 1485 STEMI patients who underwent PCI from January 2015 to October 2019 at our hospital into three groups based on their admission cTnI levels: normal group (<0.1 ng/mL), middle group (0.1 to less than 3 ng/mL), and high group (≥3 ng/mL) and into two groups by their D2B times: >90 min (>90-D2B) and ≤90 min (≤90-D2B). During the in-hospital and 1-year follow-up periods, the incidence of composite clinical events increased significantly with the increase in the admission cTnI level (p < 0.05). In-hospital, the composite rate of death and HF events was significantly higher in the >90-D2B group compared to the ≤90-D2B group (p = 0.006), but its influence disappeared in the 1-year follow-up (p > 0.05). A multivariable logistic analysis revealed that, in the ≤90-D2B group, with the exception of the cTnI ≥3 ng/mL patients, the cTnI level had no effect on in-hospital or 1-year outcomes; in >90-D2B group, cTnI ≥3ng/mL increased outcomes in both periods.ConclusionHigh cTnI levels (≥3 ng/mL) on admission are independent of the D2B time for predicting in-hospital and 1-year cardiac events in STEMI patients undergoing PCI.

Influence of the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Patients with ST-T Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global health crisis. This prospective, observational, single-centre, cohort study investigated the influence of the second wave of the pandemic on the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients admitted to the largest tertiary centre in Nicosia, Cyprus. We measured onset-to-door (O2D) time, door-to-balloon (D2B) time, onset-to-balloon (O2B) time, and 30-day mortality for 250 consecutive patients who presented directly or were transferred to Nicosia General Hospital from 1 January 2021, to 31 December 2021, during the second wave of the pandemic in Cyprus. We compared a control group of patients with similar clinical characteristics admitted before the COVID-19 outbreak. Median O2D time was increased from 89 min to 120 min (p-value=0.094). D2B time was not increased significantly (85.5 vs. 87 min, p-value=0.137). The total ischemic time (O2B time) was increased from 173.5 min to 232.5 min, respectively (173.5 vs. 232.5, p=0.001). During the pandemic, more patients presented with cardiogenic shock (3.94 vs. 13.6, p=0.001) and with cardiac arrest (9.85 vs. 17.2, p=0.035,) while there was an increase in 30-day mortality (4.43% vs. 8.8%, p-value=0.100). Patients with STEMI during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic seem to have presentation delays with increased total ischaemic times, presented more commonly in cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest, increasing 30-day mortality.

Abstract 11722: Assessing Disparity of Performance Measure by Door-to-Balloon Time Between Rural and Urban Area for Management of Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction -Insights from the Nationwide Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-

Background: Door to balloon time (D2B) ≤90 minutes is a key indicator of quality of care for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The development of standardized management for STEMI may narrow the performance gap between rural and urban hospitals. However, there are few studies to explore the disparity of D2B and outcomes between rural and urban areas. Methods and Results: The Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (JAMIR) is a nationwide, real-world registry study. We retrospectively analyzed 17,938 STEMI patients (68±13 years, female 22.4%) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, who were divided into the following two groups according to population density of 1147 persons/km 2 ; patients hospitalized in rural area and those in urban area. Overall, the median D2B was 72 mins and 73% achieved the target D2B ≤90 mins. Patients with D2B ≤90 mins had a lower in-hospital mortality compared with those with D2B &gt;90 mins (4.7% vs. 8,4%, P&lt;0.001). Rural patients were characterized by higher age, more accumulation of coronary risk factors and a higher prevalence of Killip class ≥2 at presentation compared with urban patients. The median D2B was longer (70 mins vs. 62 mins, P&lt;0.001) and achievement rate for D2B ≤90 mins was lower (70% vs. 75%, P&lt;0.001) in rural group than urban group ( Figure A ). In-hospital mortality tended to be higher in rural group (6.1% vs. 5.5%, P=0.06), whereas the benefit in shortening of D2B was noted equally in both groups ( Figure B ). Conclusions: The real-world nationwide study of JAMIR demonstrated that shortening of D2B time was significantly associated with survival benefit of STEMI in both rural and urban area.

Can a Healthcare Quality Improvement Initiative Reduce Disparity in the Treatment Delay among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients with Different Arrival Modes? Evidence from 33 General Hospitals and Their Anticipated Impact on Healthcare during Disasters and Public Health Emergencies.

(1) Background: Chest pain center accreditation has been associated with improved timelines of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, evidence from low- and middle-income regions was insufficient, and whether the sensitivity to improvements differs between walk-in and emergency medical service (EMS)-transported patients remained unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the association of chest pain center accreditation status with door-to-balloon (D2B) time and the potential modification effect of arrival mode. (2) Methods: The associations were examined using generalized linear mixed models, and the effect modification of arrival mode was examined by incorporating an interaction term in the models. (3) Results: In 4186 STEMI patients, during and after accreditation were respectively associated with 65% (95% CI: 54%, 73%) and 71% (95% CI: 61%, 79%) reduced risk of D2B time being more than 90 min (using before accreditation as the reference). Decreases of 27.88 (95% CI: 19.57, 36.22) minutes and 26.55 (95% CI: 17.45, 35.70) minutes in D2B were also observed for the during and after accreditation groups, respectively. The impact of accreditation on timeline improvement was greater for EMS-transported patients than for walk-in patients. (4) Conclusions: EMS-transported patients were more sensitive to the shortened in-hospital delay associated with the initiative, which could exacerbate the existing disparity among patients with different arrival modes.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on STEMI percutaneous interventions

Abstract Background Measures taken to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been correlated to a decline in the number of patients seeking medical care for emergency cardiovascular illness. Here we evaluate the impact of a state-wide lockdown on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care. Purpose The purpose of this study is to help understand the impact of COVID-related lockdowns on STEMI interventions. Methods All consecutive adult patients admitted with an acute STEMI diagnosis and percutaneous intervention (PCI) performed between January 17, 2020, and July 14, 2020, at five sites across our health care network, were included in this study. Patient demographics, medical history and procedure details were collected retrospectively from electronic medical records. Data were segregated according to date into pre-lockdown, lockdown (March 17 to May 13, 2020) and post-lockdown groups. Results A total of 225 patients formed the study cohort. Median age was 62 (IQR: 53–71) years. Patients were predominantly male (n=154, 68%), white (n=208, 92%), hypertensive (n=139, 61%) and dyslipidemic (n=135, 60%). The average weekly rate of STEMI PCIs performed pre-lockdown decreased by 40% during the lockdown from 10.9 to 6.5 PCIs per week (p&amp;lt;0.05). Door-to-balloon (D2B) times increased from 42 (IQR: 28–68) min pre-lockdown to 53 (IQR: 40–72) min during the lockdown (p=0.01). No significant differences were observed in in-hospital mortality or cardiac troponin measurements within 24 h of procedure between the three groups. Conclusion Adverse effects of COVID-19-related lockdowns on acute STEMI care include a decrease in PCI volumes and prolonged D2B times. Our results provide valuable data-driven criteria to help inform patient decisions to seek care and to find ways to protect healthcare workers without compromising timely critical intervention. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

STEMI around-the-clock: how off-hours admissions impact door-to-balloon time and the long-term prognosis of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Introduction The outcomes of reperfusion in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) are time-dependent, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be performed within 60 minutes from hospital admission in PCI centers – door-to-balloon time (D2B). The association between Off-Hours Admission (OHA) and long-term outcomes is controversial when considering contemporary organized STEMI networks. Purpose This study aims to analyze how OHA influences D2B and long-term mortality. Methods Retrospective study of consecutive STEMI patients (pts), admitted in a PCI-centre with a local Emergency Department, between 2010 and 2015. Pts submitted to rescue-PCI were excluded. OHA was defined as admission at night (8p.m. to 8a.m), weekends and nonworking holidays. Predictors of OHA and D2B were studied by logistic regression analysis. Demographic, clinical, angiographic and procedural variables were evaluated using stepwise Cox regression analysis to determine independent predictors of 5-year all-cause mortality (5yM). The cumulative incidence of 5yM stratified by hours of admission was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of 901 pts, 472pts (52.4%) were admitted during off-hours. These pts were younger (61±13 vs 64±12, p=0.002) and had a lower median patient-delay time (128min vs 157min, p=0.014). Clinical severity at presentation, defined by systolic arterial pressure and Killip-Kimball (KK) class, did not differ between groups. OHA did not impact D2B (89 min vs 88 min, p=0.550), which was in turn influenced by age ≥75y (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.31–2.61, p&amp;lt;0.001). Mean clinical follow-up (FUP) was 68±37 months, with 75.1% of pts achieving a FUP &amp;gt;5 years. 5yM rate was 9.7%. After multivariate cox regression analysis, independent determinants of long-term mortality were age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08, p&amp;lt;0.001), previous history of heart failure (HR 6.76, 95% CI 1.32–34.72, p=0.022) and pulmonary disease (HR 3.79, 95% CI 1.16–12.33, p=0.027), presentation with KK ≥2 (HR 2.82, 95% CI 1.32–6.01, p=0.007) and radial artery access in catheterization (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18–0.83, p=0.014) – figure 1. Although there was an association between a higher D2B time and 5yM (87min vs 101min, p=0.024), neither OHA nor D2B were independent predictors of long-term mortality – figure 2. Conclusion OHA did not seem to influence D2B and long-term STEMI outcomes in our PCI-centre. 5yM was mostly influenced by patient characteristics and clinical severity at presentation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Predictors of long-term mortalityFigure 2. 5-year survival stratified by OHA