BACKGROUND: Delays resulting from the transfer to perform primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have a negative impact on the benefits of the procedure. METHODS: Prospective registry aimed at comparing the results of primary PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) admitted or transferred to an interventional cath lab equipped hospital. RESULTS: Between February 2009 and December 2011, 319 patients were included in the study with mean age of 59.8 ± 12 years, 28.5% were female and 22.3% were diabetics. Patients transferred for primary PCI (n = 201) had longer door-to-balloon time (86.4 ± 26.6 min vs 69 ± 22.6 min; P < 0.0001), a non-significant decrease in ST-segment elevation resolution (83.5% vs 90.4%; P = 0.18), final TIMI 3 flow (90.1% vs 94.1%; P = 0.30), myocardial blush grade 3 (74.3% vs 78.8%; P = 0.22) and angiographic success (90.1% vs 94.1%; P = 0.30), and a non-significant increase in major bleeding (2% vs 0.9%; P = 0.20) and hospital mortality (6.5% vs 4%; P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: The referral of patients with STEMI directly to an interventional cath lab equipped hospital is associated with shorter door-to-balloon time and non-significant improvement of reperfusion markers and mortality.
Myocardial infarction; Angioplasty; Patient transfer; Reperfusion; Mortality
