Characterization and referral patterns of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients admitted to chest pain units rather than directly to catherization laboratories. Data from the German Chest Pain Unit Registry

CPU-STEMI patients represent a numerically significant group because a pre-hospital ECG was not documented. Treatment in the CPU is guideline-conform and the intra-hospital mortality is low. The lack of a pre-hospital ECG and admission via the GP substantially delay critical time intervals suggesting that in patients with symptoms suggestive an ACS, the EMS should be contacted and not the GP.