Percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, plays a central role in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, including myocardial infarction, thereby reducing patient’s mortality. In patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), primary PCI is the recommended reperfusion strategy. It should be performed within 60 to 90 min from the first medical contact, which is considered as a good care quality indicator in this setting.
In contrast to STEMI, the time to intervention is of less significance in patients suffering from non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Revascularization strategy, including PCI, has to be discussed within the Heart Team, taking into account the global risk of the patients, after careful assessment of comorbidities.
What is already known about the topic?
In cases of myocardial infarction, rapid reperfusion plays a central role in the preservation of the myocardium.
What does this article bring up for us?
This article reviews the role of direct angioplasty in the treatment of myocardial infarction
Key Words
coronary angioplasty, STEMI, NSTEMI, reperfusion