Reperfusion strategies and outcomes of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients in Canada: observations from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and the Canadian Registry of Acute Coronary Events (CANRACE).

BACKGROUND

We examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients receiving various reperfusion therapies in 2 contemporary Canadian registries.

METHODS

Of 4045 STEMI patients, 2024 received reperfusion therapy and had complete data on invasive management. They were stratified by reperfusion strategy used: primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 716); fibrinolysis with rescue PCI (n = 177); fibrinolysis with urgent/elective PCI (n = 210); and fibrinolysis without PCI (n = 921). Data were collected on clinical and laboratory findings, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Compared with fibrinolytic-treated patients, patients treated with primary PCI were younger and had higher Killip class, had longer time to delivery of reperfusion therapy, and utilized more antiplatelet therapy but less heparin, β-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. In-hospital death occurred in 2.7% of patients treated with primary PCI, 1.7% fibrinolysis-rescue PCI, 1.0% fibrinolysis-urgent/elective PCI, and 4.8% fibrinolysis-alone (P = 0.009); the rates of death/reinfarction were 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.3%, and 7.1% (P = 0.032), respectively. The rate of shock was highest in the primary PCI group. Rates of heart failure or major bleeding were similar in the 4 groups. In multivariable analysis, no PCI during hospitalization was associated with death and reinfarction (adjusted odds ratio = 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.70; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical features, time to reperfusion, and medication utilization differed with respect to the reperfusion strategy. While low rates of re-infarction/death were observed, these complications occurred more frequently in those who did not undergo PCI during index hospitalization.