HomeCirculationVol. 111, No. 6Issue Highlights Free AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBIssue Highlights Originally published15 Feb 2005https://doi.org/10.1161/circ.111.6.717Circulation. 2005;111:717TIMES TO TREATMENT IN TRANSFER PATIENTS UNDERGOING PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES: NATIONAL REGISTRY OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (NRMI)-3/4 ANALYSIS, by Nallamothu et al.Primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) has emerged as an attractive alternative reperfusion strategy for myocardial infarction (MI), and recent trials indicate it may be superior to fibrinolysis. However, PCI may necessitate transfer of MI patients to hospitals with such capabilities, and the inherent delay due to transfer may mitigate potential benefits. In this issue of Circulation, Nallamothu and colleagues analyze data from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction to assess the time to PCI in more than 4000 patients treated at 419 hospitals in the United States. The investigators report that the “door-to-balloon” time was 180 minutes (twice the recommended standard) in 50 percent of the patients; fewer than 5 percent were treated within 90 minutes. Presence of comorbidity, nonclassical presentation, and rural location of the treating hospital were key correlates of longer time to PCI. The authors emphasize the need for improved process-of-care systems to maximize the therapeutic benefits of PCI in MI patients. See p 761.RISK OF RESTENOSIS AND HEALTH STATUS OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION VERSUS CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY, by Spertus et al.Most studies comparing bypass surgery (CABG) to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have found similar outcomes with regard to death and myocardial infarction but more angina and need for repeat revascularization procedures after PCI, presumably because of restenosis. In this report, Spertus et al demonstrate a correlation between preprocedural restenosis risk (as measured by a scoring system they previously developed) and health outcome at follow-up. Administering the Seattle Anginal Questionnaire to 1469 patients undergoing CABG or PCI, they found no differences in 1-year angina or quality of life among the 37.4% of patients at low risk for restenosis, but a significant benefit for CABG when patients were at intermediate or high restenosis risk. This study provides the clinician with another useful tool when facing the complex choice between CABG and PCI. Also, because this study was performed in the bare metal stent era, it should encourage the use of drug-eluting stents, particularly in patients at increased risk for restenosis. See p 768.EARLY AND MID-TERM RESULTS OF DRUG-ELUTING STENT IMPLANTATION IN UNPROTECTED LEFT MAIN, by Chieffo et al.Recent advances in coronary stent design, together with the introduction of drug-eluting stents, have allowed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to be offered as a revascularization strategy to high-risk patients, including those with unprotected left main coronary artery disease. Although the majority of patients with unprotected left main disease requiring revascularization are referred for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, unprotected left main PCI and stent placement have been performed in selected patients. These patients warrant careful postprocedural surveillance for restenosis because the initial presenting symptom may be sudden death. Newer drug-eluting stents may have some utility in this setting inasmuch as they have markedly reduced the rates of restenosis in coronary vessels. In this issue of Circulation, Chieffo et al report their experience with drug-eluting stents in unprotected left main PCI. See p 791.Visit www.circ.ahajournals.org:Images in Cardiovascular MedicineAcute Pericarditis Caused by Acrylic Bone Cement After Percutaneous Vertebroplasty. See p e98.Radial Arteriovenous Fistula After Cardiac Catheterization. See p e99. Download figureDownload PowerPointCorrespondenceLetters Regarding Article by Hu et al, “Heme Oxygenase-1 Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy In Vitro and In Vivo.” See p e100. Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails February 15, 2005Vol 111, Issue 6 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics https://doi.org/10.1161/circ.111.6.717 Originally publishedFebruary 15, 2005 PDF download Advertisement