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In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) the pre-hospital phase is the most critical, as the administration of the most appropriate treatment in a timely manner is instrumental for mortality reduction. STEMI systems of care based on networks of medical institutions connected by an efficient emergency medical service are pivotal. The first steps are devoted to minimize the patient's delay in seeking care, rapidly dispatch a properly staffed and equipped ambulance to make the diagnosis on scene, deliver initial drug therapy and transport the patient to the most appropriate (not necessarily the closest) cardiac facility. Primary PCI is the treatment of choice, but thrombolysis followed by coronary angiography and possibly PCI is a valid alternative, according to patient's baseline risk, time from symptoms onset and primary PCI-related delay. Paramedics and nurses have an important role in pre-hospital STEMI care and their empowerment is essential to increase the effectiveness of the system. Strong cooperation between cardiologists and emergency medicine doctors is mandatory for optimal pre-hospital STEMI care. Scientific societies have an important role in guideline implementation as well as in developing quality indicators and performance measures; health care professionals must overcome existing barriers to optimal care together with political and administrative decision makers

Loss of endothelial function (LEF) post-PCI may contribute to both acute and long-term complications. A protective effect of BNP on endothelium was suggested previously. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, as well as plasma levels of endothelin, BNP, Pro BNP and corin were measured before and following routine PCI. 49 patients with normal baseline endothelial function were recruited. 30 patients developed LEF and were randomized to i.v. nesiritide (the commercially available recombinant form of human BNP) or saline infusion for 3 h. Patients who developed LEF post-PCI had reduced baseline plasma corin levels and their BNP/ProBNP ratio was reduced after the procedure. Nesiritide infusion significantly improved FMD both immediately (Nesiritide versus saline: 2.87+/-0.78% versus 0.51+/-0.25%, P=0.007) and 24 h after the treatment (2.52+/-0.69% versus 0.72+/-0.32%, P=0.025). The elevated plasma ET-1 was reduced by Nesiritide (0.38+/-0.11 fmol/ml 24 h post-PCI versus 0.16+/-0.02 fmol/ml 24 h post BNP, P=0.047), but remained unchanged in saline group (0.39+/-0.21 fmol/ml versus 0.42+/-0.23 fmol/ml, P=0.749). Systemic LEF post-PCI is a frequent event. It may be related to impaired cleavage of ProBNP to BNP. Short-term i.v. nesiritide improves systemic LEF post-PCI.

PCI for long coronary lesions remains a challenge because of high incidence of early complications and late restenosis. Cutting balloon angioplasty may result in reduced procedural complications and late restenosis than angioplasty with conventional long balloons (LBA) due to minimized injury to the culprit arteries.To compare the immediate and one-year outcomes of CBA and LBA for long coronary lesions.169 consecutive patients were retrospectively identified who underwent CBA or LBA for de novo lesions 20 mm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter. The primary endpoint was immediate procedural outcomes and angiographic restenosis at one year.CBA was performed in 54 patients (56 lesions) and LBA in 115 patients (151 lesions). Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups with a mean lesion length of 34.89+/-11.19 mm, and vessel diameter of 3.03+/-0.54 mm. CBA resulted in reduced incidence of side branch loss (23.2% versus 41.7%, P=0.022) which was associated with less peri-procedural infarction (OR: 11.39 (95% CI: 1.34-96.53), P=0.026). It also caused less dissection (23.2% versus 38.4%, P=0.048) leading to a trend of less provisional focal stenting (32.1% versus 41.1%, P=0.264). The rate of angiographic restenosis and clinically driven target lesion revascularization at one year (follow-up 91.1%) was similar (25% versus 21.2%, and 20.4% versus 20%, for CBA versus LBA, both P=NS). The mean event-free survival was also similar (10.15+/-0.45 months for CBA versus 9.50+/-0.39 months for LBA, P=NS).CBA demonstrated better immediate results and equivalent late results than LBA, and therefore, it may be considered a reasonable firstline approach for PCI of long coronary lesions.