Factors influencing prehospital delay in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and the impact of prehospital electrocardiogram

Our study concludes that demographic and socioeconomic barriers exist that impede rapid care seeking and highlights the need for utilization of prehospital ECG to decrease prehospital delay. Possibilities include, educating the public on the importance of early emergency medical services contact or creating emergency stations in rural areas with ECG capabilities. Our study also invites further research, regarding role of telemedicine to triage patients derived from prehospital ECGs to decrease prehospital delay.