STEMI network Essen-in-hospital results

The myocardial infarction network "Herzinfarktverbund Essen", existing since 2004, was designed to introduce guideline therapy of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) into everyday clinical practice using primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as the preferred reperfusion strategy, early prescribing recommended medication and optimizing patient's pathway from the first symptom to rehabilitation in a city of 580,000 inhabitants. In the 1st year, 489 patients were treated in five high-volume PCI centers. 444 primary PCIs were performed (90.8%). In-hospital mortality was 7.6% and thus lower than in other, historical STEMI registers with similar baseline characteristics but lower PCI rate. The best risk predictor was left ventricular function. Patients with an ejection fraction (EF)