NEW ORLEANS-Acute MI patients treated with primary PTCA have a different look than those who get thrombolytics.
They’re younger, more likely to have a history of revascularization or stroke and be in Killip Class 3 or 4, and less likely to have ST elevation on their first ECG, show data from 93,877 patients admitted to PTCA-capable hospitals.
They’re also more likely to be admitted during office hours-between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays-say the data from the National Registry of MI, reported by Dr. Mark Sada of Harbor-UCLA.
More were treated at teaching hospitals and large medical centers, especially in the West and Midwest, he told the American Heart Association meeting here. And more were admitted 12 hours or longer after onset of symptoms, vs. under three hours for thrombolysis patients.
There were no differences in race or gender, or among payment plans. -Judy Ismach
