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The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) released a new Expert Consensus Statement on the Management of Patients with STEMI Referred for Primary PCI. Published in the Journal of SCAI, the new Consensus Statement provides recommendations for healthcare professionals who manage patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), the most severe type of heart attack. The goal is to guide interventional cardiologists in standardizing the treatment of STEMI and improving patient outcomes around the world.

The SCAI Consensus Statement was co-chaired by Dr. Yader Sandoval, Co-Chairman of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s (MHIF) Center for Coronary Artery Disease (CCAD) and interventional cardiologist at the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute.

As he shared in the SCAI press release announcing the new, published guidelines: "Our goal was to create a document that reflects the most current scientific evidence and offers practical advice for clinicians on the front lines of patient care, as well as offers input on frequently encountered clinical scenarios in STEMI patients such as microvascular obstruction, MINOCA, coronary microvascular dysfunction, including lesion subsets such as bifurcations or calcified lesions, and highlights areas with unmet needs where opportunities exist for additional research," said Dr. Sandoval. "By providing these consensus key points, we are not only helping to ensure consistency in treatment approaches but also aiming to improve the overall quality of care for STEMI patients globally. The document will be a critical resource for improving STEMI outcomes worldwide." 

What is STEMI and Why Is It So Critical?

STEMI is one of the most severe forms of heart attack, marked by the complete blockage of a major artery in the heart. Immediate intervention is crucial to restore blood flow, prevent significant heart damage, and improve survival rates. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as coronary angioplasty, is the gold standard for treatment. This procedure involves inserting a catheter into a blocked artery to widen it and improve blood flow, often accompanied by the placement of a stent.

The project was chaired by Jacqueline Tamis-Holland, MD, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist and director for Acute Coronary Care at Cleveland Clinic. The Consensus Statement offers crucial insights on managing difficult cases, including complex coronary artery lesions. While primary PCI is an established treatment, various complexities arise when managing patients with STEMI.

For more information, read the full published SCAI Expert Consensus Statement on the Management of Patients with STEMI Referred for Primary PCI.