Percutaneous coronary intervention in stable patients after acute myocardial infarction.

Reperfusion after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the cornerstone of the initial therapy. Although reperfusion can be accomplished with either primary angioplasty or fibrinolytic therapy, clinical trial data reveal improved outcome with primary angioplasty. Furthermore, primary angioplasty with coronary stenting results in less repeat revascularization than balloon angioplasty. Despite the advantages of mechanical revascularization, primarily with stenting, the majority of patients presenting with AMI will receive pharmacological reperfusion.