@article{3130362,
    title = "Temporal and spatial distribution of ST-elevation myocardial infarction admissions in a countrywide registry",
    author = "Pipilis, A. and Andrikopoulos, G. and Lekakis, J. and Zavitsanakis, P. and Theoharis, A. and Theodosis, A. and Liolios, C. and Papakosmas, L. and Arvanitis, P. and Kosmopoulou, S. and Richter, D. and Goudevenos, J.",
    journal = "International Journal of Cardiology",
    year = "2010",
    volume = "142",
    number = "2",
    pages = "172-176",
    issn = "0167-5273",
    doi = "10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.12.069",
    keywords = "adult;  aged;  article;  female;  geographic distribution;  heart muscle reperfusion;  hospital;  hospital admission;  human;  major clinical study;  male;  observational study;  percutaneous coronary intervention;  priority journal;  ST segment elevation myocardial infarction;  therapy delay;  thorax pain, Aged;  Aged, 80 and over;  Cohort Studies;  Electrocardiography;  Female;  Greece;  Heart Catheterization;  Humans;  Male;  Middle Aged;  Myocardial Infarction;  Myocardial Reperfusion;  Patient Admission;  Registries;  Time Factors",
    abstract = "Background: Current guidelines propose different reperfusion strategies for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depending on the time delay from pain onset, the availability of a catheterization laboratory and the patient's characteristics. In order to implement national strategies to improve reperfusion rates the existing situation must be first analysed. The aim of this report is to provide a description of where and when STEMI patients present in a countrywide registry. Methods: The Hellenic Infarction Observation Study (HELIOS) was a countrywide registry that enrolled 1096 patients with STEMI from 31 hospitals with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals from all geographical areas. We recorded the proportion of patients that fits within each category of treatment algorithms. Results: The following percentages of the total STEMI population were recorded: a) admitted in invasive hospitals within 12 h 28.7% (with 26% of those not reperfused) and after 12 h 5.9% and b) admitted in non-invasive hospitals within 3 h 34.9% (with 30% of those not reperfused), 3-12 h 19.3% and after 12 h 11%. Conclusions: A large proportion of STEMI patients are admitted either in an invasive hospital within 12 h or in a non-invasive one within 3 h from pain onset and therefore can be treated locally according to the guidelines. A relatively small percentage of patients are late presenters in non-invasive centres and are candidates for immediate transfer for primary PCI. These data could be useful in planning reperfusion strategies at countrywide level since not all patients may require immediate transfer for primary PCI. © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved."
}