Long-term survival following primary PCI in Northern Ireland (BMJ Heart, 2 June 2023)

Summary

European guidelines advise that patients suffering ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) should be revascularised within 120 minutes of diagnosis. The preferred method of revascularization is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). This study in BMJ Heart analysed the Northern Irish STEMI database to establish the proportion of pPCI delivered within the recommended treatment window. It aimed to determine whether there was any difference in long-term survival for patients treated beyond the recommended time window.

The authors found that delays that result in primary PCI beyond 120 minutes from diagnostic ECG are associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality following STEMI in Northern Ireland.