Why Is Door Balloon Time Important

Door to balloon time is an important cardiovascular process measure because it is both clinically meaningful and actionable. On a patient level, door-to-balloon time directly correlates with an amount of time the myocardium undergoes ischemic damage.

What does door-to-balloon time mean?

Door-to-balloon time refers to the time it takes for a heart attack victim to receive a treatment called balloon angioplasty from the moment they walk through the hospital doors. Balloon angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention is an endovascular procedure that widens narrowed or obstructed veins or arteries.

What is the standard door-to-balloon time for stemi?

Based on the association between shorter times to reperfusion and lower mortality in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),1,2 consensus guidelines recommend a door-to-balloon (D2B) time of 90 minutes or less for STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).