Transfer for urgent percutaneous coronary intervention early after thrombolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: the TRANSFER-AMI pilot feasibility study.

Background: Most hospitals in Canada do not have percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facilities and use thrombolysis as reperfusion therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent PCI after thrombolysis may optimize reperfusion and prevent reinfarction and recurrent ischemia.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of transferring high-risk STEMI patients from community hospitals in Ontario to PCI centres for urgent PCI within 6 h of thrombolysis.