Transfer for primary angioplasty: who and how?
- Institut de Cardiologie, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, 47 Boulevard de l’Hopital, 75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence to:
Dr G Montalescot, Institut de Cardiologie, Bureau 2–236, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, 47 Boulevard de l’Hopital, 75013 Paris, France;
gilles.montalescot{at}psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
- Accepted 28 August 2002
Abstract
Randomised trials have led to the conclusion that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the best reperfusion strategy for most patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, these trials have limited application to routine practice. Modern trials of mechanical reperfusion strategies need to take account of logistics, transfer times, and adjunctive drug treatment during transfer (facilitated PCI). Such PCI protocols need to be judged against very early thrombolysis with modern agents. This has been the thrust behind a series of recent studies addressing these “real world” issues in early AMI management
- AMI, acute myocardial infarction
- PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention
- tPA, tissue-type plasminogen activator
