Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction: performance with focus on timeliness of treatment

Results In all, 209 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction had primary percutaneous coronary interventions between January 2002 and December 2007; 140 of them were admitted within office hours, 125 of whom came directly from Accident and Emergency Department. The mean door-to-balloon time of these patients was 115 minutes, and in 41% the time was less than 90 minutes (as recommended by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines). Since introduction of the new programme, the mean door-to-balloon time has diminished significantly, from 146 to 116 minutes (P=0.047). Delay in diagnosis (28%) and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory being occupied (20%) were the two most common reasons for prolonged door-to-balloon times.