Edinburgh Napier University

  Introduction: An early invasive strategy with follow-on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is recommended in the management of high risk acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This article aimed to assess the impact of a new PCI service in a remote population. Method: The study compared patient treatment pre- and post-introduction of the PCI service in a remote regional centre. Patients were identified using ICD discharge code during two 12 week periods ('pre' and 'post' introduction of the new PCI service). Further data was obtained from a catheter laboratory database, electronic patient management systems and clinical notes. Nonparametric statistical tests were used. Results: There were 182 patients in the pre-PCI group and 204 in the post-PCI group. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Patients admitted post service introduction who required active treatment were more likely to have PCI rather than an angiogram only (p=0.046). Furthermore, patients admitted after the introduction of the PCI service had a shorter period of time from admission to PCI (p=0.002), were less likely to be transferred to another hospital (p