Abstract Background: The knowledge on the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is essential to reduce the gap between evidence and practice. Objective: To describe a simulation training strategy for emergency healthcare professionals and provide preliminary data on knowledge acquisition, learners' confidence and prescription of medications after training. Methods: The training was part of the implementation of two myocardial infarction systems of care. It comprehended lectures and simulation-based learning using high and low-fidelity mannequins and actors. It was tested in two phases: the first one in Belo Horizonte and the second one in Montes Claros, both in the state of Minas Gerais. A test was applied before and after training to assess knowledge acquisition. Confidence to perform thrombolysis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients was assessed using a questionnaire, and the impact on medication prescription analyzed STEMI patients admitted to hospitals in Montes Claros. Results: In the first phase, 156 professionals answered both tests: 70% of them improved their results and the median number of right answers increased (6, interquartile range [IQR] 5-7; vs 7 ([IQR] 6-9; p < 0.05). In the second phase, 242 professionals answered both tests: 58% of the physicians and 83% of the nurses obtained better test scores. Participants referred a positive impact on their clinical practice, 95% reported feeling very secure when perform fibrinolysis after the training, and there was also an impact on medication prescription. Conclusions: There was an impact on the learners' knowledge acquisition and confidence using our two-phase training model, with evidence of impact on performance.

Resumo Fundamento: A doença coronariana é a principal causa de morte no Brasil. No sistema público de saúde brasileiro, a mortalidade hospitalar por infarto agudo do miocárdio é elevada. O Projeto Minas Telecardio 2 tem o objetivo de implantar a linha de cuidado do infarto na Região Ampliada Norte de Minas Gerais (MG), com vistas à redução da morbimortalidade hospitalar. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil dos casos de síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA) atendidos no período que precedeu à implantação do programa. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo observacional dos pacientes com SCA admitidos entre junho de 2013 e março de 2014 nas seis portas de entrada de urgência de Montes Claros e acompanhados até a alta hospitalar. Resultados: No período do estudo, 593 pacientes foram admitidos com SCA (idade média 63 ± 12 anos, 67,6% homens), com 306 (51,6%) casos de angina instável, 214 (36,0%) de infarto com supradesnivelamento do ST (IAMCSST) e 73 (12,3%) com infarto sem supradesnivelamento do ST (IAMSSST). A mortalidade total para IAMCSST foi 21% e a intra-hospitalar foi de 17,2%. Nos pacientes com IAMCSST, 46,0% foram submetidos a terapia de reperfusão, com 88 angioplastias primárias e seis trombólises. AAS foi administrado a 95,1% dos pacientes nas primeiras 24 horas e a 93,5% na alta, inibidores do P2Y12 foram administrados a 88,7% dos participantes nas primeiras 24 horas e a 75,1% na alta. Ao todo, 73,1% receberam heparina nas primeiras 24 horas. Conclusão: Foram observadas baixa taxa de reperfusão em pacientes com IAMCSST e adesão limitada aos tratamentos preconizados para abordagem da SCA na Região Ampliada Norte de MG. Estas observações possibilitam oportunidades para melhoria do cuidado em saúde.

Abstract Background: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of death in Brazil. In the Brazilian public health system, the in-hospital mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction is high. The Minas Telecardio 2 Project (Projeto Minas Telecardio 2) aims at implementing a myocardial infarction system of care in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais (MG) to decrease hospital morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the profile of the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cared for in the period that preceded the implementation of the system of care. Methods: Observational, prospective study of patients with ACS admitted between June 2013 and March 2014 to six emergency departments in Montes Claros, MG, and followed up until hospital discharge. Results: During the study period, 593 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of ACS (mean age 63 ± 12 years, 67.6% men), including 306 (51.6%) cases of unstable angina, 214 (36.0%) of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 73 (12.3%) of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The total STEMI mortality was 21%, and the in-hospital mortality was 17.2%. In the STEMI patients, 46,0% underwent reperfusion therapy, including primary angioplasty in 88 and thrombolysis in six. Overall, aspirin was administered to 95.1% of the patients within 24 hours and to 93.5% at discharge, a P2Y12 inhibitor was administered to 88.7% participants within 24 hours and to 75.1% at discharge. A total of 73.1% patients received heparin within 24 hours. Conclusion: We observed a low reperfusion rate in patients with STEMI and limited adherence to the recommended ACS treatment in the Northern Region of MG. These observations enable opportunities to improve health care.