Perspectives: How to evaluate healthcare systems in primary angioplasty

Abstract

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) is the gold-standard treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The main goals of a healthcare system in the setting of STEMI are two: first of all to reduce the time delays between diagnosis and P-PCI; secondly to increase the per cent of STEMI patients treated with P-PCI. The aim of this article was to propose a quality evaluation of healthcare system, identifying and defining measurable elements in the setting of P-PCI. © 2013 Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2013.