Effect of a Government Scheme on Reperfusion Trends in a tertiary care centre in South India

Aims Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in our country, of which ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accounts for the major part of health spending. We sought to study the effect of induction of government health insurance scheme on the trends of reperfusion in patients of acute STEMI.

Methods and results 1133 patients presenting with acute STEMI enrolled. 1079 (95.1%) received some form of reperfusion therapy. Primary PCI was used in 60.6% of patients as the primary reperfusion modality, a six fold increase as compared to previous years. Government health insurance accounted for the one third of all. 34.5% patients underwent pharmacological reperfusion, most commonly with streptokinase. 4.9% patients of STEMI did not receive any form of reperfusion therapy in contrast to 14% during previous years.

Conclusion Introduction of government health insurance along with increased awareness has resulted in dramatic changes in the management of STEMI patients.