• Alison L Sullivan, Joni R Beshansky, Robin Ruthazer, David H Murman, Timothy J Mader, and Harry P Selker.
• Baystate Medical Center, and Center for Cardiovascular Health Services Research, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; and Tufts University School of Medicine, and Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
• Circ Cardiovasc Qual. 2014 Jan 1; 7 (1): 86-94.

BackgroundRapid treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is important; causes of delay in emergency medical services care of ACS are poorly understood.Methods And ResultsWe performed an analysis of data from IMMEDIATE (Immediate Myocardial Metabolic Enhancement during Initial Assessment and Treatment in Emergency Care), a randomized controlled trial of emergency medical services treatment of people with symptoms suggesting ACS, using hierarchical multiple regression of elapsed time. Out-of-hospital ECGs were performed on 54,230 adults calling 9-1-1; 871 had presumed ACS, 303 of whom had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Women, participants with diabetes mellitus, and participants without previous cardiovascular disease waited longer to call 9-1-1 (by 28 minutes, P<0.01; 10 minutes, P=0.03; and 6 minutes, P=0.02, respectively), compared with their counterparts. Time from emergency medical services arrival to ECG was longer for women (1.5 minutes; P<0.01), older individuals (1.3 minutes; P<0.01), and those without a primary complaint of chest pain (3.5 minutes; P<0.01). On-scene times were longer for women (2 minutes; P<0.01) and older individuals (2 minutes; P<0.01). Older individuals and participants presenting on weekends and nights had longer door-to-balloon times (by 10, 14, and 11 minutes, respectively; P<0.01). Women and older individuals had longer total times (medical contact to balloon inflation: 16 minutes, P=0.01, and 9 minutes, P<0.01, respectively; symptom onset to balloon inflation: 31.5 minutes for women; P=0.02).ConclusionsWe found delays throughout ACS care, resulting in substantial differences in total times for women and older individuals. These delays may impact outcomes; a comprehensive approach to reduce delay is needed.

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