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Saving lives: dedicated to PCI in AMI
The main objectives:
Contrary to stable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in which PCI mainly improves symptoms of disease, the benefits of mechanical revascularisation in patients presenting with acute forms of CAD is life saving by reducing mortality, rates of non fatal re-infarction and stroke. However, in many countries the ratio of stable versus ACS patients favours the former.
Terumo has joined the recent EAPCI, EuroPCR and ESC ‘Stent for Life’ initiative to actively work on increasing access to primary PCI to as many patients as possible in every country. Recognising numerous problems and controversies in this area this symposium was organised to offer an experts view on several important aspects of treatment of patients with ST elevation Myocardial Infarction.
The main points of discussion during the session chaired by Professor Jean Marco will be: the use of imaging techniques for optimisation of treatment and assessment of risk; the possibilities for logistical improvements including how to organise emergency services to first bring patients to hospitals with PCI facilities; how to organise hospital admission departments to guide patients directly to cathlabs; discussion of the best revascularisation strategies, including training of operators; Thrombus aspiration: benefits, pitfalls, indications and complications. Discussion of Percutaneous treatment: assessment of patients for appropriateness to various percutaneous options and use of stent and selection of stent type.
The main take home message is expected to be:
- Emergency services and hospitals with PCI facilities should optimise their organisational structure to reduce time to treatment
- PCI centres should focus their resources on the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, where PCI was clearly shown to improve patient outcomes
- Treatment of unstable patients is complex and requires appropriate training
- Every patient should be assessed individually and the best treatment options, based on current knowledge, should be applied whenever feasible.
