The implementation of primary percutaneous coronary intervention services in Argentina: A real challenge

Abstract

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) initiated the "Stent for Life" (SFL) initiative in 2008 in order to stimulate the implementation of the ESC guidelines for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) - specifically the implementation of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) as the most effective treatment method. I had the priviledge (together with William Wijns) to be involved in this initiative from the beginning, because the Czech Republic was the first country where pPCI became the first choice treatment recommended by the official treatment guidelines already in 2002 (ESC guidelines followed in 2003 and ACC/AHA guidelines in 2004).

Between 2008 and 2011 pPCI implementation in Europe improved dramatically. (1, 2) SFL was approached by several cardiology societies from other continents and slowly reached outside Europe. Later the initiative was renamed to "Stent - Save a Life!" (SSL)