Improvement in Reperfusion of Myocardial Infarction in Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is no evidence that networking for care and quality improvement process in Argentina brings better results in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVES: To assess the main causes of delay or non-reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction and elevated ST segment, determining whether the networking for care, early referral and quality improvement brings better results. METHODS: A baseline analysis was performed, including initial patient records in six centers. For those patients who had not received appropriate treatment (delay or lack of reperfusion), root causes were explored. Case-related interventions were implemented in each center. The second stage of the record assessed intervention results. RESULTS: The first stage of the record included 193 patients. The first place of reception were emergency departments (55.4 percent), followed by ambulances (25.9 percent). A total of 81 patients (41.2 percent) did not receive appropriate treatment. This was mainly due to lack of information about patients and delays for transfer and diagnosis. In the second stage (with 226 patients), after the implementation of interventions, the rate with delay or without appropriate treatment was reduced to 32.3 percent (n=73, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to identify the main causes of delay in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction with elevated ST segment, and to implement networks for care and improvement cycles. This can improve reperfusion results, which have a big impact on mortality.