Synopsis
- Includes coverage of the special needs of diabetic and elderly patients and women
- Discusses stenting, thromectomy, atherectomy, and other techniques
- Contains discussion of venous and arterial grafts, multivessel intervention, and aneurysmatical arteries
Acute myocardial infarction remains a major problem in the western world. In the United States, 1.5 million patients a year sustain a heart attack, with nearly one-third of them dying. Primary angioplasty (primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) is often considered a superior first-line treatment in the treatment of myocardial infarction-over the optimal use of thrombolytic therapy. Compared to thrombolytic therapy, primary angioplasty offers a lower incidence of mortality and of stroke. The interventional cardiologist is able to diagnose the acute MI immediately and accurately, to assess the restored blood flow, and help the operator obtain better reperfusion in a greater number of patients, as well as assisting the operator in deciding about the probability of cardiac surgery. The primary aim is of course to increase myocardial reperfusion following myocardial infarction, since muscle necrosis is time-dependent. Primary Angioplasty explains such procedures. The authors share insights from years of experience in performing PTCA and stenting upon patients immediately upon admission to their center. |
