Reduction of delays in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction is a major health issue. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction was proved to be superior to fibrinolytic therapy in many randomized trials when done in a timely manner. However, PPCI is associated with delays.

Same-day transfer of patients with unstable angina and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction back to their referring hospital after angioplasty.

Background: Recent evidence has shown the advantages of an early invasive strategy for patients with high-risk unstable angina (UA) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). However, the number of beds available for postangioplasty monitoring limits the use of this approach at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (Fleurimont, Quebec).

Objectives: To study the safety of a protocol allowing the same-day return of patients with UA or NSTEMI to their referring hospital after angioplasty at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke.