Effect of Cardiac Catheterization Personnel On Time to Treatment for Myocardial Infarction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of physician and nonphysician cardiac catherization laboratory personnel on the treatment of myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Admissions data from 4 Las Vegas, Nevada hospitals were analyzed via multivariate regression analysis to determine predictors of reperfusion times. The goal for reperfusion is a door-to-balloon time of less than 90 minutes.

RESULTS

Prehospital ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) activation, cardiologist arrival time, lifesaving measures, door-to-electrocardiogram (ECG) time, time and day, critical diagnostic examinations, and door-to-first-medical-doctor time all significantly affected door-to-balloon time. However, cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) staff arrival time did not affect door-to-balloon time.

DISCUSSION: This study confirms the well-established importance of prehospital ECG and STEMI protocol activation. The results also indicate the importance of cardiologist arrival time on reperfusion times as this explained a significant amount of the explained variance in door-to-balloon time. CCL team arrival time did not affect door-to-balloon time, dispelling a long-held belief that reducing the response time of the CCL team significantly reduced reperfusion times.

CONCLUSION

Although cardiologist arrival time influenced door-to-balloon time, CCL staff arrival time did not. Programs to provide greater laboratory coverage might help improve reperfusion times as well as assist STEMI program coordinators in developing more efficient protocols.