The Influence of Acute Myocardial Infarction Checklist on the Door-to-Balloon Time

The Influence of Acute Myocardial Infarction Checklist on the Door-to-Balloon Time in Patients Suffering From Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

This study was designed to investigate the influence of the acute myocardial infarction checklist on the door-to-balloon time in patients suffering from acute STEMI at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Inclusion Criteria:

• all patients who presented to the emergency department of Far Eastern Memorial Hospital within 12 hours of the onset of ischemic chest pain
• patients with diagnostic criteria of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction on electrocardiogram, e.g. at least 0.1 mV in two or more contiguous electrocardiographic leads or a new onset of bundle branch block
• patients were preparing for emergency cardiac catheterization

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of acute myocardial infarction on electrocardiogram
• patients who were not eligible for cardiac catheterization
• patients who refused cardiac catheterization
• patients who suffered from acute myocardial infarction after admission to ward or intensive care unit for any reason
• patients who had an ambiguous diagnosis that the decision of emergency cardiac catheterization was made after admission to ward or intensive care unit