MP06: Using electrocardiogram-to-activation time to assess emergency physicians’ diagnostic delay of acute coronary occlusion

Abstract

Introduction: Electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion has been broadening in recent years, from classic ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) criteria to STEMI-equivalents and rules for subtle occlusions. However, there is no quality metric focused on emergency physicians’ decision-making. We hypothesized that the time from initial emergency department (ED) ECG to activation of Code STEMI could quantify diagnostic delay associated with automated interpretation, classic STEMI criteria, and other signs of occlusion. Methods: This multi-centre retrospective study reviewed all ED Code STEMI patients with confirmed culprit lesions from two urban academic EDs over a three-year period (Jan 2016 to Dec 2018). We reviewed charts to calculate ECG-to-Activation (ETA) time, measured from the time stamp on the initial ED ECG to the time a Code STEMI was activated (based on the hospital call centre log). We examined ECGs to determine: 1) if automated computer interpretation labelled “STEMI” or not; and 2) whether they met classic STEMI criteria, STEMI-equivalent patterns, or rules for subtle occlusion, based on a priori criteria from published guidelines or studies. All ECGs were reviewed by the lead author (JTTM) and those not obviously meeting classic STEMI criteria were independently reviewed by the other author. Results: There were 180 Code STEMIs from the ED with culprit lesions, including 177 with complete information. Average ETA time was 46.5 minutes (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 36.3-56.7min). Automated interpretation labelled 55.4% of initial ECGs as “STEMI” (ETA 13.9 min, 95%CI 9.8-18.0min), and 44.6% not as “STEMI” (ETA 86.9min, 95%CI 67.9-105.9min). Initial ECGs included 62.1% with classic STEMI criteria (ETA 17.3min, 95%CI 12.8-21.8min), 11.3% with STEMI-equivalents (ETA 49.5min, 95%CI 29.5-69.5min), 18.1% with subtle occlusions (ETA 118.3min, 95%CI 81.5-155.1min) and 8.5% with no initial sign of occlusion (ETA 102.9min, 95%CI 53.9-151.9min). Inter-rater reliability was very good (Cohen's kappa 0.84). Conclusion: Over 90% of Code STEMI patients with culprit lesions had initial ECGs diagnostic of acute coronary occlusion, but automated interpretation and classic STEMI criteria only identified 55.4% and 62.1%, respectively. STEMI-equivalents and subtle occlusions were associated with significant diagnostic delays. ETA time can serve as a quality metric for emergency physicians and may help guide ED quality improvement initiatives.