Does helicopter transport delay prehospital transfer for STEMI patients in rural areas? Findings from the CRAC France PCI registry.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse delays in emergency medical system transfer of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres according to transport modality in a rural French region.

Methods And Results: Data from the prospective multicentre CRAC / France PCI registry were analysed for 1911 STEMI patients: 410 transferred by helicopter and 1501 by ground transport. The primary endpoint was the percentage of transfers with first medical contact to primary percutaneous coronary intervention within the 90 minutes recommended in guidelines.

Factors associated with delay in transfer of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from first medical contact to catheterization laboratory: Lessons from CRAC, a French prospective multicentre registry.

Background: It is critical to minimize the time between the first medical contact and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Aims: To identify factors associated with a delay of>120min between first medical contact and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods: Data were analysed from a regional French registry of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction<24h after symptom onset.