title: [The impact of direct access to primary angioplasty on reducing the mortality associated with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: the experience of the Algarve region of Portugal].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few published data on mortality in anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Portugal, particularly in centers with direct access to primary angioplasty. We present the experience of a center with direct access to primary angioplasty in the management of patients admitted with anterior STEMI.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study of 120 patients admitted with anterior STEMI in 2008 to Faro Hospital (Algarve region, Portugal).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant coronary artery stenosis was found in 99 patients (82.5%). These patients were predominantly male (79%), and had a mean age of 63 years. Primary angioplasty was performed in the majority of patients within 6 hours of symptom onset and median ECG-to-balloon time was 89 minutes. Primary angioplasty was successful in 98% of patients and complete revascularization was achieved in 83%. Radial access was used in 82% of cases. In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct access to primary angioplasty was associated with low mortality in patients admitted with anterior STEMI.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Faro, EPE, Faro, Portugal. marqns@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mimoso
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Veloso
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Ilídio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jesus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D011174:Portugal; D012189:Retrospective Studies