The New Zealand medical journal
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Prompt access to cardiac defibrillation and reperfusion therapy improves outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study aim was to describe the 'patient' and 'system' delay in patients who receive acute reperfusion therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in New Zealand. ⋯ Nationwide implementation of the NZ STEMI pathway is needed to reduce system delays in delivery of primary PCI, fibrinolysis and rescue PCI. Ongoing initiatives are required to reduce barriers to calling the ambulance early after symptom onset.