[Experiences in the invasive treatment of acute coronary syndrome]

Primer percutaneous coronary intervention is a very powerful tool in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. The aim of the authors was to work out and analyse the methods of making the upto-date percutaneous coronary intervention available for patients living far from the Heart Institute. PATIENT AND INTERVENTIONS: Between 1st January 2000 and 31st October 2002, 221 patients with acute coronary syndrome were sent to intensive treatment from Kaposvár to the Heart Institute in Pécs partly by helicopter. The average age of patients was 54 years. 103 of them with acute myocardial infarction and 118 others with unstable angina were catheterised. Revascularization was achieved in 133 cases, and coronary operation in 63 cases. Primary intensive therapy was applied on 34 patients with infarction.

No lethal complications arose during transport or operation. Mortality rate coming from cardial complications was only 4% during the first two years. These results are based on well organised cooperation between the Department of Internal Medicine Kaposvár and Heart Institute Pécs.

Given suitable logistic background and adequate indication the risk of transporting patients can be taken. The percutaneous coronary intervention proved to be successful.