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. METHODS: Data from the regional registry of STEMI in Limousin, France, were analysed, and we performed a survey to assess medical history, clinical signs, context, socioeconomic situation and perception and behaviour of the patient. "Late callers" (i.e. third tertile,>154minutes) were compared with "early callers" (i.e. first and second tertiles,≤154minutes) using univariate and multivariable statistical methods. The influence of public awareness campaigns was studied by comparing the patient delays before and after a regional campaign. RESULTS: Among 481 patients, the median patient delay was 87minutes. "Late callers" were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.02 per year, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00 to 1.03), more often had symptom onset between 00:00 and 05:59 a.m. (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.12) and more often sought assistance from a general practitioner (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.66 to 4.04) or attended the emergency room (OR 4.10, 95% CI 2.04 to 8.32). Sweats and considering the situation to be severe were factors associated with a reduced delay. After awareness campaigns, there was no change in patient delay, but the proportion of patients calling the Emergency Medical Services increased from 55% to 62% (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patient delay is multifactorial. The impact of previous campaigns is mixed. Psychological and behavioural aspects are determinant, and should be taken into consideration to develop awareness messages that target specific groups.

Which echocardiographic parameters improve the risk prediction for peri-operative outcomes in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of transthoracic echocardiographic parameters to predict operative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and to assess its incremental prognostic value as compared to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively collected the clinical and biological data required to calculate the STS score in patients hospitalised for coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography was performed for each patient. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality or major morbidity (i.e. stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation) as defined by the STS. The secondary endpoint was prolonged hospitalisation for over 14 days. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients was included (mean age 66.1±10.2 years, 12.2% were women). The primary endpoint occurred in 33 patients (19.2%), and 28 patients (16.3%) had a prolonged hospital stay. Independent predictive factors for the primary endpoint were an increased left atrial volume (>31 mL/m²; odds ratio (OR) 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-9.12; P=0.004) and a decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (<20 mm; OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.47-8.21; P=0.008). The predictive value of the multivariate model increased when the two echocardiographic parameters were added to the STS score (area under the curve 0.598 vs. 0.695, P=0.001; integrated discrimination improvement 7.44%). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, preoperative assessment of left atrial size and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion should be performed systematically, as it provides additional prognostic information to the STS score.

Echocardiography is useful to predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing isolated coronary bypass surgery: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE:: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a major complication following coronary artery bypass graft. We hypothesized that, beyond clinical and electrocardiogram (ECG) data, transthoracic echocardiography could improve the prediction of postoperative atrial fibrillation. METHODS:: We prospectively studied 169 patients in sinus rhythm who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft in our institution. Clinical, biological, ECG and transthoracic echocardiography data were collected within 24 h before surgery. The patients were continuously monitored during the first five days, and then had daily 12-lead ECG afterwards until discharge. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was defined by any episode >10 min. RESULTS:: Postoperative atrial fibrillation was found in 65 patients (38%). Compared with those without, patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation were significantly older ( p=0.008), had more frequently a history of hypertension ( p=0.009), history of atrial fibrillation ( p<0.001) and New York Heart Association class ⩾III ( p=0.004). They also had longer PR interval ( p=0.005), higher preoperative NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide level ( p=0.006), left ventricle end-diastolic volume ( p=0.002), indexed left ventricle mass ( p<0.0001), indexed maximal left atrial volume ( p<0.0001), maximal right atrial area ( p<0.001) and lower left ventricle ejection fraction ( p=0.04). In multivariate analysis, history of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio =6.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-26.0, p=0.02) and indexed maximal left atrial volume (odds ratio =1.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.2, p=0.001) were the only two independent predictive factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation. The addition of echocardiographic parameters improved the predictive value (χ2) of the model, from 34 to 57. CONCLUSION:: A history of atrial fibrillation and indexed left atrial maximal volume are the best predictors of the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass graft. The identification of high risk population of postoperative atrial fibrillation using these two factors could lead to the development of targeted strategies to limit this frequent complication in these patients.