{
  "abstract": "Background Timely reperfusion is critical to improve outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Prior studies suggest gender-based disparities in STEMI care and outcomes, but contemporary data on time delays remain limited. This study examines gender differences in time from symptom onset to reperfusion using data from the Irish Heart Attack Audit (IHAA).Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of STEMI patients from the IHAA between 2017 and 2023. Key time intervals—symptom onset to first medical contact (FMC), FMC to positive electrocardiogram (ECG), positive ECG to reperfusion, and symptom onset to reperfusion—were compared by gender using unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models.Results Among 10,229 STEMI patients ( table 1), females experienced longer times at all key time stages of care delivery, with median delays of 24.5 minutes from symptom onset to FMC, 6.5 minutes from FMC to positive ECG, 5 minutes from positive ECG to reperfusion, and 36 minutes for total symptom onset to reperfusion time (all p<0.001). More men sought medical help within 90 minutes of symptom onset (51.4% vs 43.9%) while more women presented after more than 12 hours (12.7% vs 9.7%) (figure 1). Although attenuated, each of these gender time disparities remained significant after adjustment for age, prior coronary artery disease (CAD), risk factors for CAD, and direct admission to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres (all p<0.001).Conclusion In this large national STEMI cohort (IHAA 2017–2023), women experienced persistent delays at all key time-points from symptom onset, recognition, diagnosis to reperfusion compared to men. These findings suggest ongoing gaps in patient help-seeking behaviour and potential systemic gender bias in provider symptom recognition. Addressing these disparities with targeted strategies may contribute to improved outcomes in female STEMI patients.Abstract 42 Table 1Baseline characteristics by genderAbstract 42 Figure 1Time from symptom onset to first medical contact",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "RCSI, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "D Blake"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "E Beirne"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "RCSI, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "M Daly"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NOCA, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "J McCormack"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NOCA, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "O Brych"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "E McFadden"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Portlaoise General Hospital, Portlaoise, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "S Fleming"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "M Kennedy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "A Maree"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "T Kiernan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "J Crowley"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "R Margey"
    }
  ],
  "title": "42 Sustained time delays in STEMI care for women: insights from an irish cohort of >10,000 patients",
  "uid": "0cb8dd7f-1bca-5967-af52-ce16764c47ce"
}