Evaluation of the Interval between the Onset of Symptoms and Reperfusion Therapy in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction with Elevated ST Segment in Emergency Department Patients

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Iran. Time management in patients with myocardial infarction and the quality of services and correct and timely diagnosis are the most important issues in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time interval between the onset of symptoms and reperfusion therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 98 patients with myocardial infarction and elevated ST segment who were referred to the emergency department. Samples were collected by census method during 6 months. Demographic information of patients and time from onset of pain to referral, time of ECG recording, time of diagnosis of myocardial infarction and time of arrival until receiving the intervention were completed by a checklist. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed with SPSS software version 20.

Out of 98 patients, 83 (84.7%) were male and 15 (15.3%) were female. The mean time interval between the onset of pain and referral, the time of ECG taking, the time of diagnosis of myocardial infarction and the time of arrival to receive the intervention were 51.39, 8.21, 14.48 and 116.19 minutes, respectively. Women and patients with a history of myocardial infarction were referred faster than others.

Due to the importance of time and prevention of deaths due to heart disease, it is possible to prevent disabilities and heavy treatment costs with educational programs to increase public awareness of the symptoms and the effect of starting treatment quickly and on time. Also, by increasing peoplechr('39')s access to medical centers, training medical staff, including doctors and nurses, with the latest treatment methods will reduce deaths due to heart attacks.