RESUMO
AIM: Delayed treatment of patients undergoing transfer for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may reduce treatment benefits compared with fibrinolysis at the referring institution. We evaluated the feasibility of helicopter transfer of Whangarei patients to Auckland City Hospital for PPCI. METHOD: Clinical records of patients transferred from Whangarei to Auckland City Hospital by helicopter for PPCI were reviewed and clinical data reported. RESULTS: Between May 2010 and August 2011, 24 patients (19 male, median age 63 years, range 41-79 years) underwent helicopter transfer PPCI from Whangarei. Overall, median time to reperfusion was 125 minutes (IQR 117-147 minutes). For the 9 patients presenting within working hours (weekdays 8am-5pm), the median reperfusion time was 122 minutes (IQR 105-136 minutes), compared with 134 minutes (IQR 117-159 minutes) in the 15 patients presenting outside working hours. One patient achieved reperfusion within 90 minutes from presentation while 8/24 achieved reperfusion within 120 minutes. All patients survived to hospital discharge, as did 23/24 at 30 day follow-up. CONCLUSION: Helicopter transfer for PPCI from Whangarei to Auckland City Hospital is a feasible treatment strategy for patients presenting with STEMI. Improvements in treatment times are required if the full benefits of this strategy are to be realised.