Can WeChat group-based intervention reduce reperfusion time in patients with ST-segment myocardial infarction? A controlled before and after study

Background Pre-hospital identification of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and activation of the catheterization laboratory can reduce first medical contact to wire-crossing times. We conducted a study on providing 24-hour tele-electrocardiography services via the WeChat group application, aiming to reduce the time taken for diagnosis and treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Methods A controlled before and after study was conducted on 140 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who were initially seen in non-percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital and transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention at our percutaneous coronary intervention centre from 1 February to 31 October 2018. The WeChat group had 70 patients with pre-hospital electrocardiography transmission via WeChat and the control group had 70 patients who did not transfer pre-hospital electrocardiography. The reperfusion time of the two groups was compared to evaluate the effect of the WeChat group intervention. Results In the WeChat group versus the control group, the median symptom onset to first medical contact time was similar (129 vs 150 min, p > 0.05), but the median first medical contact to wire, door to wire and first medical contact to catheterization laboratory activity were significantly shorter (132 vs 171 minutes, p < 0.001; 60 vs 95 minutes, p < 0.001; 29 vs 74 minutes, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Pre-hospital electrocardiography transfer via a WeChat group resulted in earlier reperfusion of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who were transferred from the non-percutaneous coronary intervention centre.