Safety of early discharge in low risk patients after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Open label, randomized trial.

Background: The length of hospital stay in patients with acute myocardial infarction and ST-segment elevation (STEMI) has been shortened in recent years with corresponding savings in costs, but there is limited available data on its implementation in clinical practice. The aim of this trial was to determine whether early discharge in selected patients after STEMI is feasible and safe.

Methods: 151 patients with STEMI successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of low risk were randomly assigned to two groups on a 1:1 ratio: early (within 48-72 h of admission) and standard (after 72 h) discharge.