door-to-balloon time
The interval from hospital arrival to first balloon inflation during primary PCI for STEMI patients.
Full Definition
Door-to-balloon time is a critical quality metric measuring the time from emergency department arrival to initiation of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI patients. Current guidelines recommend door-to-balloon times ≤90 minutes for optimal outcomes. In cardiovascular research, this metric serves as both a process measure for healthcare quality and a predictor of clinical outcomes. Studies often analyze factors affecting door-to-balloon times and their impact on mortality and morbidity. Editors should verify that timing definitions are consistent with established guidelines and that median values with interquartile ranges are reported appropriately.
Usage
Usage note: Use hyphens consistently. Report median and IQR rather than mean when data are skewed. Specify guideline target (<90 minutes).
In Context
- "Median door-to-balloon time was 78 minutes (IQR 65-95 minutes) across all participating centers." — STEMI network quality study
- "Patients with door-to-balloon times >120 minutes had significantly higher 30-day mortality." — Clinical outcomes analysis