Neth Heart J
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Primary coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction should be performed as quickly as possible, with a door-toballoon time of less then 90 minutes. However, in daily practice this cannot always be achieved. Prehospital diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is of major importance in reducing time to treatment, in particular when patients can be transported directly to a centre with interventional capacities. ⋯ Prehospital diagnosis of STEMI and direct referral to a catheterisation laboratory for primary PCI allows a prehospital diagnosis-toballoon time of less than 90 minutes in 82% of patients. Older patients are at risk of longer delays. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:5-9.).