Age and Sex Differences and Twenty Year Trends (1986–2005) in Pre-Hospital Delay in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction

摘要

BackgroundThe prompt administration of coronary reperfusion therapy for patients with an evolving acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is crucial in reducing mortality and the risk of serious clinical complications in these patients. However, long-term trends in extent of pre-hospital delay, and factors affecting patient’s care seeking behavior, remain relatively unexplored, especially in men and women of different ages. The objectives of this study were to examine the overall magnitude, and 20 year trends (1986–2005), in duration of pre-hospital delay in middle-aged and elderly men and women hospitalized with AMI.