Abstract
Backgroundand Objectives: Delay of reperfusion therapy is related to high mortality in cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Guidelines emphasize that the first-medical-contact-to-balloon (FMCTB) time should be within 90 min. A mobile cloud-based 12-lead electrocardiogram (MC-ECG) transmission system might be useful in such cases, especially in rural areas. Materials and Methods: From April 2019 to June 2021, both an MC-ECG transmission system and the conventional method in which a physician checks the ECG in a hospital (Conventional) were used for transport by emergency medical services in Shin-Yukuhashi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. During this period, 8684 consecutive patients were transported to this hospital. Among them, we investigated 48 STEMI patients. The MC-ECG group (n = 23) and the Conventional group (n = 25) were enrolled. Results: There was no significant difference in FMCTB time between the MC-ECG and Conventional groups (MC-ECG: 72.0 (60.5-107) min vs. Conventional: 80.0 (63.0-92.0) min, p = 0.77). The length of hospital stay in the MC-ECG group was significantly shorter than that in the Conventional group (12.0 (10.0-15.0) days vs. 16.0 (12.0-19.0) days, p = 0.039). The logistic regression model showed that patients' non-use of MC-ECG was associated with a risk of more than 15-day length of hospital stay with an adjusted odd ratio of 0.08 (95% CI: 0.013-0.55, p = 0.0098). Conclusions: Using the MC-ECG, the length of hospital stay in patients with STEMI was significantly reduced.