ISSN 2149-2263 | E-ISSN 2149-2271
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Factors influencing the use of ambulance among patients with acute coronary syndrome: results of two centers in Turkey [Anatol J Cardiol]
Anatol J Cardiol. 2013; 13(6): 516-522 | DOI: 10.5152/akd.2013.171

Factors influencing the use of ambulance among patients with acute coronary syndrome: results of two centers in Turkey

Burcu Demirkan1, Meltem Refiker Ege2, Pınar Doğan1, Esra Gücük İpek1, Ümit Güray1, Yeşim Güray1
1Clinic of Cardiology, Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, Ankara-Turkey
2Clinic of Cardiology, Yalova State Hospital, Yalova-Turkey

Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify the factors influencing the use of ambulance among patients admitted to two Turkish hospitals with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Methods: Overall, 330 with a mean age of 55±13 years, hospitalized patients with ACS at 2 different hospitals were included in this prospective cohort study. The factors influencing the use of ambulance hospital were investigated through a questionnaire. The comparisons were made between two groups regarding use of ambulance. The predictors of the use of ambulance were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: Despite the high rate of knowing the emergency service number of “112”, of the 330 patents, only 96 (29%) used ambulance. Ambulance users had shorter arrival duration with median of 60 min vs 120 min (p=0.03). Presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (OR=3.127, 95% CI: 1.555-6.2877, p<0.001), severity of chest pain (OR=2.665, 95% CI: 1.938-3.665, p<0.001), presence of accompanying symptoms such as dyspnea (OR= 5.510, 95% CI: 2.614-11.614, p<0.001), dizziness (OR=4.172, 95% CI: 1.901-9.154, p<0.001) and vomiting (OR=3.756, 95% CI: 1.521-9.272, p=0.004), knowledge of cardiac risk factors (OR=10.512, 95% CI: 4.497-24.572, p<0.001) or chest pain related to heart attack and the importance of quickly seeking for medical care by calling ambulance (OR= 4.184, 95% CI: 2.528-6.926, p<0.001) are the factors associated with ambulance use.
Conclusion: Using ambulance was in a very low rate among our study patients with ACS. Severity of symptoms, type of ACS and knowledge are seemed to be related with increased ambulance use. Informative health educational programs can be organized to achieve a behavioral change in using of ambulance. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2013; 13: 516-22)

Keywords: Ambulance use, acute coronary syndrome, regression analysis

Burcu Demirkan, Meltem Refiker Ege, Pınar Doğan, Esra Gücük İpek, Ümit Güray, Yeşim Güray. Factors influencing the use of ambulance among patients with acute coronary syndrome: results of two centers in Turkey. Anatol J Cardiol. 2013; 13(6): 516-522

Corresponding Author: Burcu Demirkan, Türkiye
Manuscript Language: English


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