Reperfusion strategy and in-hospital outcomes for ST elevation myocardial infarction in secondary and tertiary hospitals in predominantly rural central China: a multicentre, prospective and observational study

ObjectivesTo assess differences in reperfusion treatment and outcomes between secondary and tertiary hospitals in predominantly rural central China.DesignMulticentre, prospective and observational study.SettingSixty-six (50 secondary and 16 tertiary) hospitals in Henan province, central China.ParticipantsPatients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within 30 days of symptom onset during 2016–2018.Primary outcome measuresIn-hospital mortality, and in-hospital death or treatment withdrawal.ResultsAmong 5063 patients of STEMI, 2553 were treated at secondary hospitals. Reperfusion (82.0% vs 73.0%, p<0.001) including fibrinolytic therapy (70.3% vs 4.4%, p<0.001) were more preformed, whereas primary percutaneous coronary intervention (11.7% vs 68.6%, p<0.001) were less frequent at secondary hospitals. In secondary hospitals, 53% received fibrinolytic therapy 3 hours after onset, and 5.8% underwent coronary angiography 2–24 hours after fibrinolysis. Secondary hospitals had a shorter onset-to-first-medical-contact time (176 min vs 270 min, p<0.001). Adjusted in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.70, p=0.210) and in-hospital death or treatment withdrawal (adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.70, p=0.361) were similar between secondary and tertiary hospitals.ConclusionsWith fibrinolytic therapy as the main reperfusion strategy, the reperfusion rate was higher in secondary hospitals, whereas in-hospital outcomes were similar compared with tertiary hospitals. Public awareness, capacity of primary and secondary care institutes to treat STEMI, and establishment of deeper cooperation among different-level healthcare institutes need to further improve.Trial registration numberNCT02641262.

Interventional Reperfusion Strategies for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common, potentially life-threatening cardiovascular emergency, and represents the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality after myocardial infarction and stroke. Risk stratification is important to guide the management of APE, as an early reperfusion strategy is associated with improved clinical outcomes in specific high-risk conditions. Pulmonary artery reperfusion is commonly achieved by systemic intravenous administration of thrombolytic drugs, but catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDThr) and interventional techniques of catheter-based embolectomy provide novel therapeutic approaches with an improved risk-benefit ratio. Future trials will help to determine when to use these different devices in massive or sub-massive APE, and which patient population is likely to benefit from interventional treatment.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a life-threatening conditioning caused by an abrup occlusion of an epicardial coronary artery. Reperfusion (ideally by primary angioplasty, and if not timely available by systemic fibrinolysis) massively improves survival in STEMI patients. Healthcare systems attending STEMI patients in the early phase are critical for a correct triage, reperfusion strategy selection and initial treatment. Besides reperfusion, coadjuvant therapies are critical to improve the success of management and in turn improves long-term mortality and morbidility associated with STEMI. The present chapter presents the state-of-art evidence guiding recommendations for treatment of STEMI with a special focus on the early phases of the process.

Fibrinolysis is a reasonable alternative for STEMI care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective No data are available to develop uniform recommendations for reperfusion therapies in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We aimed to fill the evidence gap regarding STEMI reperfusion strategy during the COVID-19 era. Methods Clinical characteristics and outcomes for 17 patients with STEMI who received fibrinolysis during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with 20 patients who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), and were further compared with another 41 patients who received PPCI in the pre-COVID-19 period. Results In patients with STEMI, fibrinolysis achieved a comparable in-hospital and 30-day primary composite end point, as compared with those who received PPCI during the COVID-19 pandemic. No major bleeding was detected in either group. Compared patients with STEMI who received PPCI in the pre-COVID-19 period, we found a remarkable extension of chest pain onset-to-first medical contact (FMC) and FMC-to-wire crossing times, significantly increased number and length of stents, and much worse thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow in patients with STEMI who received PPCI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Owing to its considerable efficacy and safety and advantages in conserving medical resources, we recommend fibrinolysis as a reasonable alternative for STEMI care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outcomes of a Provincial Myocardial Infarction Reperfusion Strategy: A Population-Based, Retrospective Cohort Study

Background:Fibrinolysis is an acceptable treatment for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cannot be performed within 120 minutes. The American Heart Association has recommended Emergency Medical Services (EMS) interventions such as prehospital fibrinolysis (PHF), prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG), and hospital bypass direct to PCI center. Nova Scotia, Canada has incorporated these interventions into a unique province-wide approach to STEMI care. A retrospective cohort analysis comparing the primary outcome of 30-day mortality for patients receiving either prehospital or emergency department (ED) fibrinolysis (EDF) to patients transported directly by EMS from community or regional ED for primary PCI was conducted.Methods:This retrospective, population-based cohort study included all STEMI patients in Nova Scotia who survived to hospital admission from July 2011 through July 2013. Three provincial databases were used to collect demographic, 30-day mortality, hospital readmission, and rescue PCI data. The results were grouped and compared according to reperfusion strategy received: PHF, EDF, patients brought by ambulance via EMS direct to PCI (EMS to PCI), and ED to PCI (ED to PCI).Results:There were 1,071 STEMI patients included with 145 PHF, 606 EDF, 98 EMS to PCI, and 222 ED to PCI. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality across groups (n, %): PHF 5(3); EDF 36(6); EHS to PCI <5(2); and ED to PCI 10(4); P = .28. There was no significant difference in patients receiving fibrinolysis who underwent rescue PCI.Conclusions:Prehospital fibrinolysis incorporated into a province-wide approach to STEMI treatment is feasible with no observed difference in patient 30-day mortality outcomes observed.