Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality Rate Depends on Time to Hospital Visit After Symptom Onset

Research Team Including Professor Jeong Myong-ho of Jeonnam National University Hospital Publishes World's First Article in Journal of the American College of Cardiology

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A study has found that patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) must arrive within 24 hours of symptom onset to reduce mortality.

Chonnam National University Hospital (Director Ahn Young-geun) announced on the 27th that a research team led by Professor Jung Myung-ho of the Department of Cardiology at Chonnam National University Hospital, Professors Ahn Tae-hoon and Cha Jung-joon of the Department of Cardiology at Korea University Anam Hospital, and Professor Bae Sung-ah of the Department of Cardiology at Yongin Severance Hospital analyzed data from 6,544 patients with acute NSTEMI observed over three years in the "Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR)" and published the results for the first time worldwide in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (IF=24.094).

The research team analyzed 4,717 patients who visited within 24 hours and 1,827 patients who visited after 24 hours among the 6,544 patients registered in the KAMIR. The mortality rates were 10.5% and 17%, respectively.

The mortality rate of patients who visited after 24 hours was more than 6.5% higher. In particular, factors causing delayed hospital arrival after 24 hours were identified as old age, female gender, non-specific chest pain, dyspnea, diabetes, and non-use of 119 emergency services.

Professor Jung Myung-ho of Chonnam National University Hospital said, "According to the study results, elderly women with diabetes should use 119 emergency services promptly to visit specialized hospitals capable of cardiac vascular intervention to reduce mortality. Since hospital visits by NSTEMI patients have been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19, resulting in increased mortality, special attention is required."

Acute myocardial infarction is diagnosed based on the presence or absence of ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram, classified as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction involves complete blockage of the heart’s blood vessels, causing severe symptoms, whereas NSTEMI involves partial blockage, often resulting in relatively mild symptoms.

Professor Jung said, "This study is significant as it is the first in the world to propose a new guideline that NSTEMI patients should arrive at the hospital within 24 hours to improve prognosis. Since Korea’s cardiovascular disease treatment technology is world-class, social efforts are needed to raise awareness of acute myocardial infarction symptoms and ensure timely hospital visits."

Meanwhile, the KAMIR study, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean Society of Cardiology, has been led by Chonnam National University Hospital since 2005. It has achieved world-class research results, publishing 352 papers (323 SCI papers) to date. This announcement marks the fourth paper published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Additionally, in 2020, expert consensus on drug treatment for acute myocardial infarction was published, and in 2021, expert consensus on cardiac vascular intervention was released in both English and Korean, developing treatment methods suited to Korean circumstances. The KAMIR research team is also leading joint research with Japan and China to develop Asian clinical guidelines.