ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a common and potentially fatal presentation of cardiovascular disease. Once a diagnosis is made, prompt intervention is crucial, with substantial effect on morbidity and even mortality.

The aim of this study was to assess the adherence of physicians of a tertiary care hospital to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology performance measures for the management of acute STEMI patients. 

This was a descriptive retrospective chart review of acute STEMI patients seen in a tertiary care hospital over a 2-year period.

A total of 118 STEMI patients were included in the study. Mean age was 57.8 years with male predominance. High adherence rates (100% achievement score) to recommended discharge medications and counseling for smoking cessation were observed. However, performance measures for time to reperfusion therapy via percutaneous coronary intervention (average, 16.7% over 2 years) and referral to cardiac rehabilitation (average, 38.0%) were consistently low, although time to percutaneous coronary intervention improved from an average of 170 minutes to 142 minutes in the second year of this study.

For 2 consecutive years, all STEMI patients seen in our institution were adequately managed with regard to recommended medications. All patients have been advised lifestyle change, particularly smoking cessation for current smokers. There is room for improvement with regards to time to reperfusion therapy and referral to cardiac rehabilitation. Some measures have been suggested, including shortening the time to secure patient consent.