ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Few data exist on regional systems of care for the treatment of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in developing countries. Our objective was to describe temporal trends in 30-day mortality and identify predictors of mortality among STEMI patients enrolled in a prospective registry in Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 2011 to June 2013, 520 patients who received initial STEMI care at 23 nonspecialized public health units or hospitals, some of whom were transferred to a public cardiology referral center, were identified through a regional STEMI network supported by telemedicine and the local prehospital emergency medical service. We stratified patients into five 6-month periods based on presentation date. Mean age (±SD) of patients was 62.0 (±12.2) years, and 55.6% were men. The mean Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score was 145 (±34). Overall mortality at 30 days was 15.0%. Use of dual antiplatelet therapy and statins increased significantly from baseline (January 2011) to period 5 (June 2013): 61.8% to 93.6% (P<0.001) and 60.4% to 79.7% (P<0.001), respectively. Rates of primary reperfusion also increased (29.1%-53.8%; P<0.001), and more patients were transferred to the referral center (44.7%-76.3%; P=0.001). Thirty-day mortality rates decreased from 19.8% to 5.1% (P<0.001). In multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with 30-day mortality were higher GRACE score, history of previous stroke, lack of transfer to the referral center, and lack of use of optimized medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a regional STEMI system was associated with lower mortality and higher use of evidence-based therapies.
