Editor's Capsule Summary
What is already known on this topic
Rapid treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction decreases mortality and produces better outcomes.
What question this study addressed
This meta-analysis of 16 observational studies of out-of-hospital 12-lead ECG compared with 3-lead or no monitoring was performed to refine the estimated mortality benefit in the percutaneous coronary intervention era and the temporal benefit from first (out-of-hospital) medical contact to reperfusion.
What this study adds to our knowledge
Out-of-hospital 12-lead ECG was associated with a 39% reduction in relative risk of 30-day mortality for percutaneous coronary intervention patients and a 21- to 78-minute reduction in first medical contact–to-balloon time.
How this is relevant to clinical practice
The existing literature confirms an important mortality benefit of out-of-hospital 12-lead ECG and advance emergency department notification in the percutaneous coronary intervention era, limited as in all meta-analyses by the validity of the individual studies and absence of publication bias.