Rural STEMI in-hospital outcomes remain unchanged 16 years after TRANSFER-AMI despite advances in pharmacoinvasive strategies and regional systems of care.
Outcomes of patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have improved dramatically over the past 3 decades, backed by numerous evidence-based interventions and the development of coordinated regional systems of care. Refinement of antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy, adoption of radial access, and innovations in drug-eluting stents have substantially improved the survival in this critically ill patient population. Timely percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains the cornerstone of management in STEMI with a goal of <90 minutes from point of first medical contact in PCI-capable centers and <120 minutes in the setting of transfers from non–PCI-capable hospitals.
Lofti et al. (2026) conducted an editorial in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Rural STEMI in-hospital outcomes remain unchanged 16 years after TRANSFER-AMI despite advances in pharmacoinvasive strategies and regional systems of care.