title: Implementation of primary angioplasty in Europe: stent for life initiative progress report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the recommended treatment for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Despite substantial evidence of its effectiveness, a 2007 study reported that only 40-45% of European STEMI patients were treated with PPCI, with large variations in treatment availability between countries. In 2008, the Stent for Life (SFL) initiative was launched by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions and EuroPCR in partnership with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Working Group on Acute Cardiac Care and country-specific national cardiac societies. The aim is to promote the prioritisation of percutaneous coronary intervention treatment towards those who will benefit most, namely STEMI patients. The following countries are currently participating: Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain and Turkey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since SFL was launched, several activities have been initiated in the participating countries. Preliminary reports suggest that major increases have been seen in the numbers of PPCI performed, with some countries reporting very significant increases in PPCI use from 2008-2010. Improvements in STEMI mortality rates have also been observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report summarises the progress of the SFL initiative in the 10 target countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark. steendk@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Steen Dalby
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fajadet
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Mario
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kaifoszova
authors.forename: Kristina Grønborg
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Laut
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deleanu
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilard
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guagliumi
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Goktekin
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jorgova
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanakakis
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ostojic
authors.forename: Helder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabate
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobhy
authors.forename: Christiaan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vrints
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wijns
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Widimsky
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005060:Europe; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D058028:Research Report; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome