Early ST elevation myocardial infarction in non-capable percutaneous coronary intervention centres: in situ fibrinolysis vs. percutaneous coronary intervention transfer

Eur Heart J. 2016 Apr 1;37(13):1034-40. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv619. Epub 2015 Nov 18.

Abstract

Aims: The preferred reperfusion strategy for early ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, defined as time from symptoms onset ≤120 min) in non-capable percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres remains controversial. We sought to compare mortality of in situ fibrinolysis vs. PCI transfer in a real-life consecutive cohort of early STEMI.

Methods and results: Prospective multicentre STEMI registry (Catalonia 'Codi IAM' network) of all-comers in a non-capable PCI centre with symptom onset to first medical contact (FMC) <120 min. Two groups were identified: in situ fibrinolysis and transfer to a PCI-capable centre. Primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. We included 2470 patients, of whom 2227 (90.2%) and 243 (9.8%) comprised the transfer and fibrinolysis groups, respectively. In the fibrinolysis group, diagnostic and system delays were shorter (24 vs. 31 min, P < 0.001; 45 vs. 119 min, P < 0.001, respectively). Thirty-day mortality was 7.7 and 5.1% in fibrinolysis and transfer groups, respectively (P = 0.09). However, patients in the transfer group whose time FMC-device was achieved within 140 min were associated with significantly lower mortality (2.0% for FMC-device <99 min, and 4.6% for FMC-device 99-140 min; P < 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively vs. fibrinolysis). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, reperfusion with fibrinolysis was an independent 30-day mortality predictive factor (odds ratio: 1.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-3.50; P = 0.04), together with age and Killip-Kimball class (both P < 0.001).

Conclusions: In early STEMI patients assisted in non-capable PCI centres, in situ fibrinolysis had worse prognosis than patient transfer. Transfer to a PCI-capable centre seems recommended in patients with FMC-device delay <140 min.

Keywords: Codi IAM; Fibrinolysis; Primary angioplasty; STEMI; STEMI network.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Transfer
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / methods*
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / mortality
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / mortality
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / therapy*
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / mortality
  • Time-to-Treatment