The guidelines for primary PCI for ST-elevation MI (STEMI) have been updated to reflect major findings from recent trials: PCI of a noninfarct artery is now acceptable for some STEMI patients with multivessel disease. In previous guidelines PCI of noninfarct arteries had been considered unsafe. Routine thrombectomy prior to primary PCI for stent implantation is now…
Primary PCI Guideline Update: Multivessel Interventions In, Thrombectomy Out
October 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A Requiem for Routine Clot Removal During Heart Attacks
March 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Using a stent to open a blocked coronary artery is the treatment of choice in the early period of a heart attack (myocardial infarction). A limitation is the risk of dislodging part of the clot, leading to new downstream blockages of smaller vessels. One strategy that has been under development for a long time is thrombectomy, in…
Cardiology Group Withdraws ‘Choosing Wisely’ Recommendation
September 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
In the end it wasn’t wisdom for the ages. The American College of Cardiology said today that it was withdrawing one of its five recommendations in the “Choosing Wisely” campaign. In 2012 the ACC recommended that heart attack patients should have only their culprit artery unblocked. It said that patients and caregivers should question whether complete revascularization of all…
New Study Lends Support For Alternative Heart Attack Treatment Strategy
April 22, 2014 by 2 Comments
It is generally agreed that the best treatment for heart attack patients is to immediately reperfuse the blocked artery with a stent. But many people live in areas where this strategy, known as primary PCI, is not available within the time frame when it produces the greatest benefit. Previous studies have found good short term…
All Dressed Up And No Place To Go: False-Positive Activation Of The Cath Lab For Primary PCI
May 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Primary PCI is widely recognized as the best early option for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, efforts to deliver primary PCI to the broadest possible population inevitably result in an increased number of false-positive activations of the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Now, a new studypublished in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that the rate of…
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