Netherlands Heart Registration-based multicentre retrospective cohort study on primary PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: comparing patient relevant outcomes in on- vs. off-hour presentations.

AIMS: Over recent decades, numerous measures have been implemented to improve treatment and timely intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). For deeper insights into the current state of care, this study investigates whether patient outcomes differ based on the timing of presentation (on-hours vs. off-hours) for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Data from STEMI PCIs performed from 2017 to October 2020, as registered within the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR), were analysed. Off-hours presentation was defined as arrival at the catheterization laboratory (cath lab) on weekends, during working days between 17.00 and 08.00, or Monday between midnight and 08.00. Short-term outcomes included 30-day all-cause mortality and acute MI within 30 days. Long-term outcomes included all-cause mortality rates up till 5 years after PCI, target vessel revascularization within 1 year, and repeat revascularization with elective or non-STEMI PCI. The study included 19 090 STEMI patients from 17 centres, with 11 719 (61.4%) PCIs performed on-hours. No significant difference in 30-day mortality was observed between on-hours and off-hours patients (5.7% vs. 5.8%). On-hours patients had a longer time from symptom onset to cath lab arrival (≤6 h: 80.2% vs. 84.4%, P < 0.001) and were less likely to present with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (7.6% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences in long-term outcomes were observed after adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes after primary PCI for STEMI are comparable between on-hours and off-hours presentations. The quality of care appears to be independent of time of arrival at the cath lab.