Characteristics associated with patient delay during the management of ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction, and the influence of awareness campaigns.

Background: The delay between the occurrence of symptoms and the call seeking medical assistance is an important component of the pain-to-balloon delay in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Factors affecting this "patient delay" have been poorly studied, and campaigns to raise emergency call awareness have barely been evaluated.

Aims: To evaluate the factors related to patient delay, and the effects of public awareness campaigns undertaken in our region.