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Percutaneous coronary intervention: recommendations for good practice and training
  1. K D Dawkins1,
  2. T Gershlick1,
  3. M de Belder2,
  4. A Chauhan1,
  5. G Venn3,
  6. P Schofield2,
  7. D Smith1,
  8. J Watkins2,
  9. H H Gray2,
  10. Joint Working Group on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society and the British Cardiac Society
  1. 1British Cardiovascular Intervention Society, London, UK
  2. 2British Cardiac Society, London, UK
  3. 3St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr Keith D Dawkins
    Wessex Cardiac Unit, Southampton University Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; keith{at}dawkins.org

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Cardiologists undertaking percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are excited by the combination of patient and physician satisfaction and technological advance occurring on the background of the necessary manual dexterity. Progress and applicability of percutaneous techniques since their inception in 1977 have been remarkable; a sound evidence base coupled with the enthusiasm and ingenuity of the medical device industry has resulted in a sea change in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD), which continues to evolve at breakneck speed.

This is the third set of guidelines produced by the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society and the British Cardiac Society.1,2 Following the last set of guidelines published in 2000, we have seen PCI activity in the UK increase from 33 652 to 62 780 (87% in four years) such that the PCI to coronary artery bypass grafting ratio has increased to 2.5:1. The impact of drug eluting stents has been profound, and the Department of Health is investigating the feasibility of primary PCI for acute myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, the changes in the structure of National Health Service funding are likely to focus our attention on cost effective treatments and will require physician engagement and sensitive handling if we are to continue the rapid and appropriate growth in our chosen field.3

It is important with this burgeoning development now occurring on a broad front (in both regional centres and district general hospitals) that we maintain our vigilance on audit and outcome measures so that standards are maintained for both operators and institutions alike. This set of guidelines includes new sections on training, informed consent, and a core evidence base, which we hope you will find useful and informative.

Keith D Dawkins:

President, British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (2000–2004)

Huon H Gray:

President, British Cardiac Society (2003–2005)

  • ACC, American College of Cardiology
  • ACS, acute coronary syndromes
  • AHA, American Heart Association
  • ARSAC, Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee
  • BCIS, British Cardiovascular Intervention Society
  • BCS, British Cardiac Society
  • CABG, coronary artery bypass grafting
  • CCAD, Central Cardiac Audit Database
  • CHD, coronary heart disease
  • CI, confidence interval
  • DICOM, digital imaging and communications in medicine
  • DoH, Department of Health
  • FFR, fractional flow reserve
  • IVUS, intravascular ultrasound
  • LMS, left main stem
  • MACE, major adverse cardiac events
  • MHRA, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
  • MI, myocardial infarction
  • MR, moderate release
  • NCDR, National Cardiovascular Data Registry
  • NCEPOD, National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death
  • NICE, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
  • NSCAG, National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group
  • NSF, National Service Framework
  • PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention
  • PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
  • SERNIP, Safety and Efficacy Register for New Interventional Procedures
  • SR, slow release
  • TLR, target lesion revascularisation
  • percutaneous coronary intervention
  • guidelines
  • training
  • standards

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