Implementation of strategies to improve the outcome of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI).

Objectives: Prompt reperfusion is essential for patients who have myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation. The objective of the study is estimation of door to needle/balloon time and onset to needle/balloon time. Material(s) and Method(s): Our study is a Hospital based retrospective audit of patients who were admitted as a case of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction conducted in Rashid hospital as well as Dubai hospital (Department of Health and Medical Services-DOHMS) simultaneously from November 2005 to May 2006. One hundred and sixty patients were included in our final analysis. 80 patients were from Rashid Hospital and 80 patients were from Dubai Hospital. Result(s): In Rashid Hospital the mean door to needle time was 42.8 minutes and the mean door to balloon time was 72 minutes. 31% of the patients were thrombolysed in less than 30 minutes. In Dubai Hospital the mean door to needle time was 35 minutes and the door to balloon time was 71.4 minutes. 43% were thrombolysed in less than 30 minutes Only 10% of patients were taken for primary PCI as the catheterization laboratories in both hospitals function only till 14:30 hrs. Conclusion(s): Although most guidelines recommend a door to needle time of less than 30 minutes and door to balloon time of less than 90 minutes, most of the hospitals do not achieve this in most of their patients. The Door to Needle time and Door to Balloon time in Department of Health and Medical Services (which includes Rashid and Dubai Hospital) is shorter than many other centers.