Impact of paramedic education on door-to-balloon times and appropriate use of the primary PCI pathway in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Objective Evidence supports improved outcomes and reduced mortality with rapid reperfusion through primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). UK national audit data (Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project [MINAP]) demonstrates minor improvements in door-to-balloon times (DTB) of <90 min but increasing call-to-balloon times (CTB). We evaluate the effect of a regional Cardiologist delivered paramedic education programme (PEP) on DTB times and appropriate use of the PPCI pathway. Methods This was a prospective single-centre study of patients with STEMI brought directly to hospital via ambulance services. Data sources included ambulance charts, in-patient notes, British Cardiovascular Interventional Society (BCIS) database and local MINAP data. All DTB breaches were investigated. A local PEP was implemented with focus on ECG interpretation, STEMI diagnosis and appropriate use of the PPCI pathway. Non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test was used for comparisons of DTB and CTB times between direct versus ED-associated cath lab transfer. Results A total of 728 patients with STEMI were admitted directly to our centre via ambulance, 66% (n=484) directly to the Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) and 34% (n=244) via the Emergency Department (ED). There was a significant increase in median DTB, 83 vs 37 min (p<0.001) and median CTB 144 vs 97.5 min (p<0.001) when transfer to the Cath Lab occurred via the ED versus direct transfer. The PEP increased direct cath lab transfers (52%-85%) and generated annual reductions in median DTB times, with sustained improvement seen throughout the 7-year study period. Conclusions Paramedic education increases direct transfer of STEMI patients to the Cath Lab, and reduces DTB times. This is an effective and reproducible intervention to facilitate timely reperfusion in STEMI.