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[The final situation in the Turkey "Stent for Life" project]
Gökhan Ertaş1, Omer Kozan, Muzaffer Değertekin
1Department of Cardiology Bezmialem University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey. drgokhanertas@yahoo.com.tr.
Summary
The Stent for Life project successfully increased primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to over 90% in pilot cities. This initiative shifted the standard reperfusion strategy from thrombolysis to primary PCI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Public Health Initiatives
Background:
- Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was underutilized for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients before the Stent for Life (SFL) project.
- Thrombolysis was the predominant reperfusion strategy due to limited access to primary PCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the Stent for Life (SFL) project on increasing primary PCI rates for STEMI patients.
- To identify barriers to primary PCI access within participating centers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of acute STEMI patients admitted to SFL project-involved centers between 2009 and 2011.
- Inclusion of data on emergency medical system utilization and door-to-balloon times.
Main Results:
- Primary PCI rates exceeded 90% in SFL pilot cities.
- Increased ambulance and emergency station numbers, with most cases accessed via the emergency medical system.
- Mean door-to-balloon time was 54.72±43.66 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Primary PCI became the preferred reperfusion strategy for STEMI patients in pilot cities after three years of the SFL project.
- The SFL project significantly improved access and outcomes for STEMI patients requiring primary PCI.
