Long-Term Prognosis of Different Reperfusion Strategies for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Chinese County-Level Hospitals: Insight from China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

Objective

To evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with different reperfusion strategies in Chinese county-level hospitals

Methods

A total of 2,514 patients with STEMI from 32 hospitals participated in the China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry between January 2013 and September 2014. The success of fibrinolysis was assessed according to indirect measures of vascular recanalization. The primary outcome was 2-year mortality.

Results

Reperfusion therapy was used in 1,080 patients (42.9%): fibrinolysis (n = 664, 61.5%) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 416, 38.5%). The most common reason for missing reperfusion therapy was a prehospital delay > 12 h (43%). Fibrinolysis [14.5%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44–0.80] and primary PCI (6.8%, HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.22–0.48) were associated with lower 2-year mortality than those with no reperfusion (28.5%). Among fibrinolysis-treated patients, 510 (76.8%) achieved successful clinical reperfusion; only 17.0% of those with failed fibrinolysis underwent rescue PCI. There was no difference in 2-year mortality between successful fibrinolysis and primary PCI (8.8% vs. 6.8%, HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.85–2.73). Failed fibrinolysis predicted a similar mortality (33.1%) to no reperfusion (33.1% vs. 28.5%, HR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.93–1.81).

Conclusion

In Chinese county-level hospitals, only approximately 2/5 of patients with STEMI underwent reperfusion therapy, largely due to prehospital delay. Approximately 30% of patients with failed fibrinolysis and no reperfusion therapy did not survive at 2 years. Quality improvement initiatives are warranted, especially in public health education and fast referral for mechanical revascularization in cases of failed fibrinolysis.