Australian and New Zealand 1997 thrombolysis audit

Objectives : To describe patterns of revascularization techniques in acute myocardial infarction in Australasia, particularly time to thrombolysis, site of delivery, patient demographics, revascularization rates and outcomes. Methods : Seventy‐four Australasian emergency departments were surveyed. Data from 1997 were obtained on number of acute myocardial infarction patients, age, gender, time to revascularization, intracranial haemorrhage rate, mortality, location and rate of revascularization and angioplasty. Grouped data were analysed. Results : Thirty‐three hospitals responded (44.6%). Many others could not supply data. Of 2930 acute myocardial infarction patients, 29% received thrombolysis and 5% angioplasty. Tertiary hospitals thrombolysed more in coronary care units (24.2% versus 8.8%), while non‐tertiary hospitals used emergency departments more (16.2% versus 5.9%). Average emergency department door‐to‐needle time was 49.4 min (median 38.6) versus 63.9 min (median 66.8) in coronary care units. More patients had streptokinase than tissue‐type plasminogen activator. Inferior myocardial infarction accounted for 58% of cases. Primary angioplasty commenced on average 61.5 min (median 69.2) after arrival. Conclusions : Australasian revascularization procedure rates, times, mortality and intracranial haemorrhage rates are similar to internationally published values. Thrombolysis starts sooner if given in emergency departments. Hospitals thrombolysing patients in coronary care units should consider emergency department thrombolysis if median times are greater than 50 min.