Beneficial effects of direct call to emergency medical services in acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We investigated the impact of an emergency medical services call on the management of acute myocardial infarction, considering time intervals for intervention and revascularization procedures.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected from January 2001 to October 2002 from 531 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation and a pre-hospital delay of less than 24 h.

Results: Only 26% of patients called the emergency medical services at the onset of symptoms (n=140).