Reduction of delays in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Acute myocardial infarction is a major health issue. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction was proved to be superior to fibrinolytic therapy in many randomized trials when done in a timely manner. However, PPCI is associated with delays. Studies have shown that greater delay is associated with increased mortality rate. We applied simple interventions to reduce door-to-balloon time. Our study goal was to evaluate the reduction of delays after our interventions and to monitor 30-day mortality.A prospective registry was created to evaluate delays and mortality associated with PPCI. Measures such as annual feedback with suggestions were taken to minimize the delays. Door-to-balloon delays before and after the interventions were compared.A total of 1361 primary PCIs were performed from 2005 to 2008. Of these cases, 1071 patients were transferred from community hospitals. The median door-to-balloon time for transferred patients was 142 minutes for 2005, 138 minutes for 2006, 125 minutes for 2007, and 121 minutes for 2008 (P < 0.001 for 2005 vs. 2008). Door-to-balloon time for patients admitted directly to our centre was 87 minutes in 2005, 74.5 minutes in 2006, 73.5 minutes in 2007, and 74.0 minutes in 2008 (P < 0.001 for 2005 vs. 2008). Thirty-day mortality of these consecutive patients is low (5.2% for 2005 and 3.8% for 2008; P = not significant).Inexpensive and simple interventions may significantly reduce primary PCI-related delays for transferred cases and patients admitted directly to a centre with PPCI facilities. We also observed a low mortality rate for those consecutive patients.