BACKGROUND Timely reperfusion after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves survival. Guidelines recommend primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) within 90 minutes of arrival at a PCI-capable hospital. The alternative is fibrinolysis within 30 minutes for those in those for whom timely transfer to a PCI-capable hospital is not feasible. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified...

Background Outcomes for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction continue to improve, largely due to timely provision of reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). However, despite prompt and successful PPCI, a small proportion of patients require ventilatory and hemodynamic support in an intensive care unit (ICU). The outcome of these patients remains poo...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to obtain a valid estimate of the clinical effects of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in relation to age. BACKGROUND Treatment with PPCI is most beneficial in high-risk myocardial infarction patients. Paradoxically, elderly patients, who are at increased risk of adverse outcome, are often withheld PPCI. METHODS Individual patient data w...

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of thrombectomy on platelet function in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS This retrospective study included 413 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PPCI between March 2012 and September 2013 at Kartal Kosuyolu High Specialty Education and Research Hospita...

OBJECTIVE The mortality rate is high in some patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) because of ineffective epicardial and myocardial perfusion. The use of thrombus aspiration (TA) might be beneficial in this group but there is contradictory evidence in current trials. Therefore, using PRISMA statement, we performed a meta-analysis that compares PPCI+TA with PPCI a...

BACKGROUND Myocardial reperfusion following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is limited due to, among other things, microembolic events. Abciximab and a mechanical system of distal protection both reduce their incidence during PCI. AIM Prospective, randomised study to compare effectiveness of abciximab and protection devices in reduction of microembolic complications during p...

BACKGROUND Many patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) do not receive reperfusion therapy and are known to have poorer outcomes. We aimed to perform the first population-level, integrated analysis of clinical, ECG and hospital characteristics associated with non-receipt of reperfusion therapy in patients with STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS This systematic evaluation of STEMI car...

BACKGROUND In Denmark, primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) was chosen as a national reperfusion strategy for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 2003. This study describes the temporal implementation of PPCI in Western Denmark, the gradual introduction of field triage for PPCI (patients rerouted from the scene of the event directly to the invasive center), ...

BACKGROUND Current ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction guidelines regarding reperfusion strategy are based on trials conducted before the application of routine invasive evaluation after thrombolysis. Modern thrombolysis may affect the previously observed mortality difference between primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and thrombolysis. METHODS In-hospital mortality was p...

BACKGROUND American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend >75% of patients with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction receive primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCI) within 90 minutes. Despite these recommendations, this goal has been difficult to achieve. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a prospective interventional study involving 349 patients unde...