• Martin Sillesen, Maria Sejersten, Søren Strange, Søren Loumann Nielsen, Freddy Lippert, and Peter Clemmensen.
• Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• J Electrocardiol. 2008 Jan 1;41(1):49-53.

BackgroundTime from symptom onset to reperfusion is essential in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Prior studies have indicated that prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission can reduce time to reperfusion.PurposeDetermine 12-lead ECG transmission success rates, and time saved by referring patients directly to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) bypassing local hospitals and emergency departments.MethodsPrehospital 12-lead ECG was recorded in patients with symptoms suggesting acute coronary syndrome during a 1-year pilot phase and transmitted to the attending cardiologist's mobile phone. Transmission success rates were determined, and prehospital and hospital delays were recorded and compared to historic controls.ResultsTransmission was attempted in 152 patients and was successful in 89%. Twenty-seven patients were referred directly for pPCI. Median hospital arrival to pPCI was 22 vs 94 minutes in the control group (P < .01).ConclusionsTransmission of prehospital ECG is technically feasible and reduces time to pPCI in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction patients.

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