Decreasing STEMI mortality by implementing a PPCI network in Bulgaria.
This article describes the development of the p-PCI network in Bulgaria. Even though interventional treatment of STEMI in the country was introduced around 1990, it was not performed on a regular basis which made it largely inefficient. The paper tracks the network evolution with all the problems encountered and the solutions undertaken until the present moment. Historically, all the important factors concerning the implementation, such as spreading of PCI centres, networks and infrastructure, training and certification, emergency medical service, public awareness campaigns, 24/7 work, reimbursement, etc., are reviewed. Finally, the current increase of the percentage of STEMI patients treated by p-PCI and the decrease of overall STEMI mortality rates are shown, clearly demonstrating the huge value of the SFL know-how and contribution.
St Ekaterina University Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Kiril
K
Karamfiloff
Julia
J
Jorgova
D002031:Bulgaria; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006752:Hospital Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000592:standards; D011050:Policy Making; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012042:Registries; D013997:Time Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000458:organization & administration; D016896:Treatment Outcome