Retrospective Typology of Paediatric Emergency Visits in 1 Year in Sakarya, Turkey

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the characteristics of paediatric emergency department (PED) visits by newborn (age ≤ 28 days). Methods: Retrospective study consisted of newborns who presented to PED of Sakarya University Maternity and Pediatric Hospital during 2014. We studied the electronic data consisted of admission date, date of birth, emergency department diagnosis at discharge (International Classification of Diseases 10th revision code) and the outcome. Results: A total of 5708 neonates visited PED with an average age of 7.9 ± 5.9 days of age and prevalence of males (56.1%). The major diagnoses were jaundice, respiratory system problems, excessive crying of infant, and feeding problems of newborn and prematurity. Hospitalization was necessary for 35.9% neonates. There were 2912 neonates were between 0 and 8 days of age. The major diagnoses of this group were jaundice, excessive crying of infant, feeding problems of newborn, upper respiratory infections, and fever of newborn. Most of the neonates were discharged home from the PED (59.3%). Conclusion: Most PED visits were because of non-serious diseases, mainly insufficient briefing during discharge and limitations of primary care.

Guía de práctica clínica de alta precoz en cirugía pediátrica / Fast Track Pediatric Surgery Guideline

En las últimas décadas se ha prestado mayor atención a los resultados de la actividad quirúrgica debido a factores económicos, la mejora de los cuidados perioperatorios y la preocupación por la calidad de la asistencia y satisfacción de la población. A este propósito han contribuido el desarrollo y aplicación de guías de práctica clínica. Estas guías reducen la variación en los cuidados del paciente quirúrgico, aumentan la eficiencia de dicho cuidado y proporcionan que los pacientes se beneficien de iniciativas institucionales encaminadas a mejorar la calidad de la asistencia sanitaria. La cirugía de alta precoz es un modelo de atención médico-quirúrgica encaminado a disminuir los costos de la atención médica mediante esfuerzos coordinados que permitan la reducción de la estancia hospitalaria en los pacientes, sin que ocurra incremento de complicaciones posoperatorias, ni insatisfacción de pacientes y familiares con el servicio prestado. Su empleo ha ido incrementándose en afecciones pediátricas. En el hospital pediátrico de Cienfuegos se aplica el modelo hace varios años y la guía fue aprobada en el Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica en diciembre de 2018. Compartir esta guía mediante su publicación permitiría a otros servicios de cirugía pediátrica del país emplearla como referencia para la aplicación del modelo en sus propias instituciones y beneficiar a un mayor número de pacientes(AU)

In the last decades, there has been more attention on the results of the surgical activity due to economic factors, the improvement of perioperative cares and the concern on the quality of the care and the population´s satisfaction. The development and implementation of the clinical pratice´s guides had contributed to that purpose. These guides reduce the variations in the cares to the surgical patients, increase efficiency in that kind of care and foster that the patients are benefited with institutional initiatives addressed to improve health care quality. The Fast Track Pediatric Surgery is a model of medical-surgical care directed to lower the costs of medical care by means of coordinated efforts that allow the reduction of the hospital stay in patients without increasing the rates of postoperative complications, or dissatisfaction of the patients and relatives with the service given. The use of this procedure has been increasing in pediatric conditions. It has been implemented since some years ago in the Pediatric Hospital of Cienfuegos province, and the guide was approved in the Pediatric Surgery service in December, 2018.To share this guide by publishing it will be a way to allow other pediatric surgery services in the country to use it as a reference for the implementation of that model in their institutions and in that way to benefit a higher number of patients(AU)

Factors for inhibition of early discharge from the psychiatric emergency ward for elderly patients

BACKGROUND@#As society is aging, the number of elderly patients with psychiatric disorder, such as dementia, is increasing. The hospitalization period of elderly patients in psychiatric wards tends to be prolonged. In this study, we have determined the factors that inhibit early discharge from the psychiatric emergency ward for elderly patients in Japan.@*METHODS@#The information was collected from patients admitted to our hospital's emergency ward for elderly patients with psychiatric disorders between May 2015 and April 2016. We compared various factors between the early discharge group and the non-early discharge group. In addition, we used a multiple logistic regression model to clarify the risk factors for non-early discharge.@*RESULTS@#Of the 208 elderly patients, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin level were significantly lower in the non-early discharge group. In addition, we also showed that higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (> 0.5 mg/dL) and use of seclusion or physical restraint significantly inhibited the early discharge of patients. The results of multiple logistic analysis showed that the BMI ≤ 17.5 kg/m (OR, 2.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-5.46]), serum albumin level ≤ 30 g/L (OR, 3.78 [95% CI 1.28-11.16]), and use of seclusion or physical restraint (OR 3.78 [95% CI 1.53-9.37]) are particularly important explanatory factors.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Hypoalbuminemia, low BMI, and the use of seclusion or physical restraint were identified as the factors that inhibit early discharge from the psychiatric emergency ward for elderly patients. These factors reflect malnutrition and extremely serious psychiatric symptoms.

Fenilcetonuria de diagnóstico tardío / Late-diagnosed phenylketonuria

Introducción: La fenilcetonuria es el error congénito del metabolismo más frecuente y es la primera enfermedad del metabolismo con un tratamiento exitoso que evita la discapacidad intelectual. Tanto en el mundo como en la Argentina la fenilcetonuria inauguró la lista de enfermedades del tamizaje neonatal. La prueba de pesquisa neonatal tiene una relación entre el costo y la eficacia altamente favorable cuando la prueba de pesquisa da un resultado correcto; en caso contrario, esta prueba dejaría de ser eficaz. La fenilcetonuria clásica está causada por la deficiencia de la enzima fenilalanina hidroxilasa, responsable de la conversión de fenilalanina a tirosina. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar pacientes con fenilcetonuria que no han sido diagnosticados por medio de la pesquisa neonatal; también, describir la presentación clínica de la enfermedad y analizar las causas de la falta de diagnóstico y de las potenciales repercusiones para los programas de pesquisa en la Argentina. Antecedentes históricos y de normativas: Se describen brevemente los antecedentes históricos de la fenilcetonuria y de la prueba de tamizaje neonatal. A partir de 1986, por medio de la Ley 23413, se establece la obligatoriedad de realizar la pesquisa neonatal de fenilcetonuria en la República Argentina. Materiales y métodos: Analizamos los pacientes con diagnóstico de fenilcetonuria que se encuentran en seguimiento en el Hospital de Pediatría S.A.M.I.C. Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan desde 2000 hasta 2015. Hallamos una serie de casos con diagnóstico de fenilcetonuria que no han sido diagnosticados por la prueba de pesquisa neonatal, y los comparamos. Estudiamos las políticas de Salud Pública que reglamentan las pruebas de pesquisa en la Argentina. Resultado y conclusiones: Se identificaron tres pacientes con fenilcetonuria clásica de diagnóstico tardío con discapacidad intelectual. Los tres casos son sujetos oriundos de Neuquén, Argentina, con la prueba de pesquisa informada como "negativa"; en los tres, la muestra fue tomada tempranamente. Para que los programas de pesquisa sean efectivos, en primer lugar deben existir políticas sanitarias unificadas para todas las provincias argentinas, con un sistema de coordinación, formación, educación, evaluación y estadística eficiente. Es fundamental conocer el impacto que causa no detectar a estos pacientes ya que esta revisión demuestra que, ante el fracaso de la prueba de pesquisa neonatal, es posible evitar el resultado de tres personas con discapacidad intelectual, dos de ellas totalmente dependientes de sus familias y del sistema sanitario.

Introduction: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most prevalent disorder caused by an inborn error in aminoacid metabolism and it is the first disease that has a successful treatment that prevents intellectual disabilities. It is the first disorder included in neonatal screening programmes in the world, as it also happens in our country. Furthermore, newborn screening is a highly favorable cost-effective test when the screening test is well done, otherwise the cost effectiveness would be unfavorable. Classical PKU is caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase that catalyses the conversion of the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine to L-tyrosine. Objective: To identify patients with PKU who have not been diagnosed by means of newborn screening tests. Description of the clinical presentation of the disease. Analysis of the causes and potential implications for newborn screening programs. Historical antecedents and regulations: The historical background of PKU and of the disease neonatal screening tests are briefly described Since 1986 the National Law #23413 establishes the obligation of performing the Neonatal Screening of phenylketonuria in Argentina. Materials and methods: We analized patients with PKU admitted and followed up in the Hospital de Pediatría S.A.M.I.C. Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan from 2000 to 2015 We found a case series of patients with phenylketonuria that have not been diagnosed by means of the newborn screening test and we compared them. Analysis of Public Health Care policies and the laws that regulate the screening tests in Argentina. Results and conclusion: Three patients were identified and diagnosed with classic PKU of late diagnosis and presented mental disability. The three cases were from Neuquén province, Argentina. The neonatal screening tests had reported as "negative" and the three samples had been taken early. If the screening programs are to be effective what is needed, in the first place, it is to have uniform health care policies with national coverage with an efficient system of coordination, training, education, evaluation and statistics. It is essential to know the impact that implies not to identify these patients. In this review, we have noticed that the failure of the newborn screening tests resulted in three patients with intellectual disabilities, two of them totally dependent on their families and the health care system.

Egreso neonatal precoz en una unidad de alojamiento conjunto / Early newborn discharge in a rooming-in area

Introducción: el alta precoz del recién nacido antes de las 48 horas del nacimiento se ha convertido en una práctica clínica rutinaria, a pesar de que tal conducta puede estar asociada a complicaciones en algunos neonatos. Objetivo: definir las características demográficas de los recién nacidos que egresan de forma precoz en una unidad de Alojamiento Conjunto. Métodos: En un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de diseño transversal se analizaron 1557 recién nacidos de edad gestacional entre 35 y 40 semanas. De esta población total, el 60% egresó antes de las 48 horas. En un subgrupo de 108 niños menores de 2500 gramos, 38 (35,2%) fueron dados de alta antes de 48 horas. A medida que la edad gestacional decreció, la incidencia del alta precoz se redujo: 24,2%, 45,6% y 65,6% para prematuros tardíos, neonatos a término precoces y neonatos mayores de 39 semanas, respectivamente. Sin embargo, 188 (46,3%) de los 406 recién nacidos menores de 39 semanas, incluyendo 8 prematuros tardíos, egresaron antes de 48 horas. Conclusiones: en la población analizada el egreso precoz prevalece sobre el alta más tardía. Este procedimiento parece aplicarse sin mayor consideración de factores individuales de riesgo como el bajo peso al nacer y la edad gestacional por debajo de 39 semanas. Es factible que se precisen criterios particulares de alta neonatal que se puedan aplicar en grupos bien seleccionados de esta población.

Background: early newborn discharge has progressively become a common clinical practice in many institutions, despite the fact of potential complications when it is applied collectively. Objective: to define demographic variables associated with early discharge of newborn infants in a rooming-in area. Methods: The design of the study was descriptive, observational and cross-sectional.1557 infants between 35 and 40 weeks’ gestational age were included. Overall, 60% of the total sample was discharged before 48 hours, including 38 (35.2%) out of 108 low-birth-weight infants. Incidence of early discharge was inversely related to gestational age; 24.2%, 45.6% and 65.6% for late preterm, early term and late term newborns, respectively. Nevertheless, 188 (46,3%) out of 406 infants below 39 weeks, including 8 late preterm newborns, were discharged before 48 hours. Conclusions: early newborn discharge is highly prevalent in our institution. This policy seems to be routinely applied regardless of high risk situations defined by low birth weight or short gestational age. Formulation of particular criteria adjusted to the demographic and behavioral characteristics of this population seems mandatory.

Egreso neonatal precoz en una unidad de alojamiento conjunto / Early newborn discharge in a rooming in area

El alta precoz del recién nacido antes de las 48 horas del nacimiento se ha convertido en una práctica clínica rutinaria, a pesar de que tal conducta puede estar asociada a complicaciones en algunos neonatos. Definir las características demográficas de los recién nacidos que egresan de forma precoz en una unidad de Alojamiento Conjunto. En un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de diseño transversal se analizaron 1557 recién nacidos de edad gestacional entre 35 y 40 semanas. De esta población total, el 60% egresó antes de las 48 horas. En un subgrupo de 108 niños menores de 2500 gramos, 38 (35,2%) fueron dados de alta antes de 48 horas. A medida que la edad gestacional decreció, la incidencia del alta precoz se redujo: 24,2%, 45,6% y 65,6% para prematuros tardíos, neonatos a término precoces y neonatos mayores de 39 semanas, respectivamente. Sin embargo, 188 (46,3%) de los 406 recién nacidos menores de 39 semanas, incluyendo 8 prematuros tardíos, egresaron antes de 48 horas. En la población analizada el egreso precoz prevalece sobre el alta más tardía. Este procedimiento parece aplicarse sin mayor consideración de factores individuales de riesgo como el bajo peso al nacer y la edad gestacional por debajo de 39 semanas. Es factible que se precisen criterios particulares de alta neonatal que se puedan aplicar en grupos bien seleccionados de esta población

Early newborn discharge has progressively become a common clinical practice in many institutions, despite the fact of potential complications when it is applied collectively. To define demographic variables associated with early discharge of newborn infants in a rooming-in area. Methods: The design of the study was descriptive, observational and cross-sectional.1557 infants between 35 and 40 weeks’ gestational age were included. Overall, 60% of the total sample was discharged before 48 hours, including 38 (35.2%) out of 108 low-birth-weight infants. Incidence of early discharge was inversely related to gestational age; 24.2%, 45.6% and 65.6% for late preterm, early term and late term newborns, respectively. Nevertheless, 188 (46,3%) out of 406 infants below 39 weeks, including 8 late preterm newborns, were discharged before 48 hours. Early newborn discharge is highly prevalent in our institution. This policy seems to be routinely applied regardless of high risk situations defined by low birth weight or short gestational age. Formulation of particular criteria adjusted to the demographic and behavioral characteristics of this population seems mandatory

Seguridad de la angioplastía coronaria ambulatoria por vía transradial: experiencia de un centro / Safety of trans-radial ambulatory coronary angioplasty: a single center experience

Introducción: El número creciente de intervenciones coronarias ha generado una demanda mayor de camas hospitalarias. Se ha reportado que luego de un periodo postintervención de 4 a 6 horas no se observan complicaciones asociadas a la angioplastía coronaria (AC). Objetivo: Evaluar la seguridad del alta precoz luego de la angioplastía coronaria. Material y métodos: Se analizaron los pacientes (pts) sometidos a AC y dados de alta luego de una observación de 4 horas, en el período comprendido entre Enero 2004 y Agosto 2010. Se analizaron las variables clínicas y angiografías. Se consideraron criterios de seguridad: infarto y/o trombosis del stent, complicaciones hemorrágicas y mortalidad hasta los 30 días. Resultados: Se realizó AC ambulatoria a 414 pacientes con una edad de 63.17 +/- 10.4 años. 80 por ciento fueron hombres. El 53 por ciento fueron portadores de enfermedad de 2 y 3 vasos. La AC fue exitosa en el 95.9 por ciento de casos. El 49 por ciento de las lesiones tratadas fueron de complejidad mayor (tipo B2 y C). Se analizaron los índices de seguridad en tres periodos: 4 a 24 horas, 24 horas a 7 dias y de 7 días a 30 días, observándose solo 3 hemorragias menores en el período más precoz y ningún sangramiento mayor, nueva revascularización, infarto agudo del miocardio, accidente cerebrovascular, ni mortalidad en ninguno de los tiempos analizados. Conclusión: El alta precoz luego de la AC por vía radial es un procedimiento seguro independiente de la complejidad de la anatomía coronaria.

The increasing number of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures poses a strain on the availability of hospital. There is evidence that no complications of PTCA are observed 4 o 6 hr after the procedure. Aim: To evaluate the safety of early discharge after PTCA Methods: Patients submitted to PTCA from January to August 2010 who were discharged after a 4 hr observation period had their clinical and angiographic characteristics assessed. Infarction, stent thrombosis and 30 day mortality were determined. Results: 414 patients were included. Mean age was 63.2 years (SD 10.4), 80 percent of them males. 53 per cent had 2 or 3 vessel disease. PTCA was successful in 95.9 percent of cases. 49 per cent of coronary artery lesions were type B2 or C. 3 minor bleeding episodes occurred before 24 hr after the procedure. No major bleedings, new revascularization, acute myocardial infarction, stroke were seen up to 30 days post procedure. There was no mortality. Conclusion: Early discharge after trans-radial artery PTCA is safe even for treatment of complex coronary artery lesions.

Points requiring attention in primary-care settings in the treatment of patients with acute drug intoxication / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

Objective: To develop an effective and safe therapeutic strategy, we studied the effect of the clinical characteristics of patients with acute drug intoxication on the duration of hospitalization. <br>Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 89 patients hospitalized for acute drug intoxication. They were divided into two subgroups; the short hospitalization group (duration of hospitalization < 7 days) and the long hospitalization group (duration of hospitalization ≥ 7 days). We compared age, sex, vital signs, drugs, and therapy between the two groups. <br>Results: There were no significant differences in sex or severity of consciousness disturbance between the short- and long-hospitalization groups. Age in the latter group was higher than that in the former, and age was significantly and positively correlated with the duration of hospitalization. Prolongation of hospitalization in patients with Japan Coma Scale (JCS) I or II is associated with psychiatric disease, and in patients with JCSIII, with physical disease. We used direct hemoperfusion (DHP) to treat patients with severe acute drug intoxication. The duration of hospitalization in patients treated by DHP tended to be shorter than those not so treated. <br>Conclusions: The present results suggest that aging is associated with prolongation of hospitalization and the onset of physical disease among patients with acute drug intoxication. When elderly patients with acute drug intoxication are treated in a primary-care setting, the question of whether or not physical diseases are present as complications should be considered. The appropriate use of DHP for the treatment of patients with severe acute drug intoxication requires further study.

Egreso precoz del recién nacido: [revisión] / Early newborn discharge: [review]

El egreso precoz del recién nacido, definido como el alta de las 48 horas del nacimiento, se ha convertido en una práctica clínica rutinaria, motivada en parte por la presión familiar de convertir el acto de nacer en un acontecimiento natural, y fomentada por la escasez de camas maternas en los institutos públicos de salud. A pesar de su frecuente aplicación, no existen estudios bien diseñados que demuestren la seguridad del egreso precoz cuando se emplea de manera colectiva. Aunque ofrece beneficios biológicos y sociales, el alta temprana puede ser un procedimiento riesgoso, debido a situaciones no detectadas que pueden amenazar el bienestar del neonato en el ambiente del hogar, cuando el niño no está siendo supervisado por personal de salud. Las complicaciones neonatales asociadas al egreso precoz son más frecuentes cuando el alta no se complementa con una visita temprana programada a las 48 horas del alta, y cuando se aplica de manera masiva, sin individualizar las necesidades particulares de cada pareja madre-niño. La condición neonatal más importante relacionada al alta precoz es la hiperbilirrubinemia excesiva, especialmente en el neonato prematuro tardío. La Academia Americana de Pediatría ha establecido un conjunto de criterios mínimos a cumplir para que el neonato se vaya al hogar antes de 48 horas, el seguimiento de los cuales es variable entre los pediatras. Estas normas son dificiles de cumplir en los hospitales públicos venezolanos, debido a la alta densidad de nacimientos y a características demográficas particulares. Es factible que se requiera la formulación de requisitos propios de egreso que se puedan aplicar en grupos bien seleccionados de nuestra población.

Early newborn discharge has progressively become a common clinical practice in many institutions, due to the mothers’ wish to demedicalize the childbirth process and to the scarcity of maternal beds in public hospitals. Although early discharge provides social and biological benefits, its collective application may be associated with risks for the mother and the newborn, since immediate postnatal recovery has shifted from the hospital to the home, where the infant is not being supervised by health professionals. These risks are more relevant when short stays are not complemented with a follow-up visit within 48 hours, and when early discharge is massively applied without consideration for particular needs of mothers and infants. The most common neonatal complication seen after early newborn discharge is extreme hyperbilirubinemia, most notorious in late preterm infants. A list of minimal criteria for early discharge has been published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The compliance with these guidelines is highly variable among pediatricians, and its suitability in our maternity wards is not warranted. Formulation of particular criteria adjusted to the demographic and behavioral characteristics of our perinatal population seems mandatory.

Redução do tempo de hospitalização após cirurgia torácica de grande porte: identificação de fatores determinantes / Early discharge following major thoracic surgery: identification of related factors

Objetivo: Os custos da internação hospitalar têm relação direta com o tempo de permanência do paciente operado. Por outro lado, um menor tempo de internação permite aumentar a produtividade nos hospitais públicos com demanda reprimida. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar fatores determinantes da redução do tempo de internação pós-cirurgia torácica de grande porte. Método: Estudo retrospectivo por análise de prontuários, realizado em duas fases. Na fase I levantou-se uma série consecutiva de 169 pacientes divididos em grupo I (n=81) – operados no período de junho de 1990 a dezembro de 1995, e grupo II (n=88) – operados de janeiro de 1996 a maio de 2000, para verificação do tempo de internação e fatores relacionados. Na fase II levantou-se uma série consecutiva de 20 pacientes (grupo III) retroagindo a partir de março de 2002, para análise e comparação com uma pequena enquête enviada pela internet para 21 cirurgiões torácicos. Resultados: A quase totalidade dos pacientes prescindiu de UTI no pós-operatório imediato. O tempo de internação médio caiu de 7,6 dias (mediana 7) no grupo I para 5,1 dias (mediana 4) no grupo II (p<0,001). A utilização mais freqüente da analgesia epidural e o uso de vias de acesso menos traumáticas no grupo IIalcançou significância estatística (p<0,001). No grupo III o tempo de internação médio foi de 4,2 dias (mediana 4), com uso mais efetivo da analgesia epidural (75%) e emprego da toracotomia vertical (90%). Oito cirurgiões torácicos responderam à enquête: o tempo médio de internação informado variou de cinco a nove dias, todos os pacientes foram enviados para a UTI ou similar, e apenas dois cirurgiões usam de rotina toracotomia com preservação muscular. Conclusões: Este estudo confirma que o controle da dor e o menor trauma da via de acesso são fatores importantes para a mais rápida recuperação funcional dos pacientes. Sugere que uso da UTI pode ser restringido para pacientes com alto risco.

Background: There is a direct relation between hospital costs and hospital length of stay after the operation. On the other hand, reduced stay increases productivity of public hospitals with high service demanding. Our objective is to identify factors determining the decrease in hospital stay after major thoracic surgery. Methods: A two-phase retrospective study was conducted on analysis of medical records. In the first phase, data on length of hospital stay and related factors were collected from a consecutive series of 169 patientsdivided into group I (n=81) – patients operated on between June 1990 and December 1995, and group II (n=88) –patients operated on from January 1996 through May 2000. In the second phase, data were collected from a consecutive series of 20 patients (group III) starting backwards from March 2002, for analysis and comparison with an Internet survey sent to 21 thoracic surgeons. Results: Intensive care unitwas unecessary for most patients in immediate post operative period. The mean hospital stay decreased from 7.6 days (median 7) in group I to 5.1 days (median 4) in group II (p<0.001). The more frequent utilization of epidural analgesia and less traumatic thoracothomy in group II reached statistic significance (p<0.001). In group III, the mean hospital stay was 4.2 days (median 4), and there was a more efective use of epidural analgesia (75%) and muscle- sparing thoracothomy (90%). Eight thoracic surgeons answered the survey: the mean hospital stay varied from five to nine days and all patients were sent to intensive care or similar units. Only two surgeons utilize muscle-sparing thoracothomy. Conclusions: This study confirms that pain control and less traumatic surgical approach are important for faster functional recovery of patients. It suggests that the IC units may be used only for selected patients.

Safety and cost-effectiveness of early discharge after primary coronary stenting in acute myocardial infarction / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Primary coronary stenting results in reduced rates of reinfarction, recurrent ischemia, stroke and in-hospital mortality and may allow earlier hospital discharge compared with primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction(AMI). This study evaluated the hypothesis that primary coronary stenting, with subsequent discharge within 4 days after admission, is safe and cost-effective in low risk patients for AMI, prospectively. METHODS: The study group consisted of low risk patients after susccessful primary stenting with conventional transfemoral intervention for AMI. Low risk status required be met all the following criteria : age or =5 days), N=16}. Their demographic and angiographic characteristics, the rate of major adverse cardiac events, ejection fraction during 3 months, and total medical costs were analyzed. RESULTS: The 25 patients(61%) were discharged on day 3 or 4. The peak level of CK-MB were not significantly lower in early discharge group than conventional discharge group(ED/CD;112.4+/-67.3/153.3+/-76.9 U/L, p=0.089). Comparing to conventional discharge group, in-hospital costs were significantly lower in patients of early dicharge group(ED/CD;7,109,118+/-1,068,861/8,766,336+/-1,688,707, p=0.001). Major adverse cardiac events were similar in both group(ED/CD;16/25%, p=0.329). CONCLUSION: Early identificaton of low risk patients after successful primary stenting by transfemoral intervention for AMI allowed safe omission of the intensive care phase and noninvasive testing, and early hospital discharge, resulting in substantial costs savings.