Evaluation of acute myocardial infarction management in Sri Lanka revealed a median 12-hour delay to admission and 90-minute delay for ECGs, alongside underuse of thrombolytics and beta-blockers.
Observational (n=259)
No
The study highlights significant delays in presentation and underutilization of guideline-directed medical therapies for acute myocardial infarction in Sri Lankan general medical wards.
Summary The study was designed to evaluate the management of acute myocardial infarction in the general medical wards of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. All patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted from September 1996 to August 1997, were evaluated with regard to the time delay in admission and drug treatment. The facilities for monitoring and resuscitation were also assessed. A total of 259 patients were included in the study, 173 males and 86 females. The median time delay from the onset of the pain to admission at the out-patients department was 12 hours and that between out-patients department admission and ward admission was 20 minutes. The median delay in obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram when the patient was in the ward was 90 minutes. Review of the data showed that thrombolytic therapy, beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are underused. Complications were common. All the medical wards had adequate monitoring and resuscitation facilities. With adequate training of doctors and the availability of specialised cardiac nurses, thrombolytic therapy can be used effectively in medical wards.
Constantine et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Acute myocardial infarction (n=259). Management of acute myocardial infarction was evaluated on Time delay in admission and drug treatment. Evaluation of acute myocardial infarction management in Sri Lanka revealed a median 12-hour delay to admission and 90-minute delay for ECGs, alongside underuse of thrombolytics and beta-blockers.