Management of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the coronary care units of Piedmont in 2005: results from the PRIMA regionwide survey

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Abstract
In Piedmont (north-western Italy) a network for emergency treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction is being implemented. To provide a baseline for care assessment and quality improvement, a regionwide survey was conducted. We describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients admitted to the coronary care units (CCUs) of the Regional Health System. All patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction 33 (odds ratio 6.78; 95% confidence interval 3.70-12.40), and chronic renal failure (odds ratio 4.96; 95% confidence interval 1.82-13.55). In Piedmont, candidates for myocardial reperfusion treatment admitted to the CCUs of the Regional Health System are about 600 per million inhabitants/year. The 118 emergency medical system is used by about half of them, and medical contact occurs within 3 h of symptom onset in most cases. Use of reperfusion treatment is frequent, the choice is related to on-site availability rather than to risk profile, and door-to-treatment times can be improved. Use of emergency transfer is limited, poorly selected, and slow.