PCI/angioplasty received within 90 minutes of hospital arrival

PCI is a treatment for heart attack that unclogs the blocked artery that supplies blood to the heart. The length of time before a clogged artery is opened can help reduce lasting damage to the heart muscle. It is important that this therapy be given as soon as possible after a heart attack is diagnosed.

The heart is a muscle that gets oxygen through blood vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block these blood vessels, and the heart cannot get enough oxygen. This can cause a heart attack. Percutaneous Coronary Interventions are procedures that are among the most effective ways to open blocked blood vessels and help prevent further heart muscle damage. A PCI is performed by a doctor to open the blockage and increase blood flow in blocked blood vessels. Improving blood flow to your heart as quickly as possible lessens the damage to your heart muscle. It also can increase your chances of surviving a heart attack. There are three procedures commonly described by the term PCI. These procedures all involve a catheter (a flexible tube) that is inserted, often through your leg, and guided through the blood vessels to the blockage. The three procedures are:

• Angioplasty - a balloon is inflated to open the blood vessel.
• Stenting - a small wire tube called a stent is placed in the blood to hold it open.
• Atherectomy - a blade or laser cuts through and removes the blockage

At SBUH, 90% of 52 eligible heart attack patients received PCI within 90 minutes of arrival at the hospital.

A high score is better than a low score.

	The SBUH 2008-2009 score is for the period October 2008 to September 2009. The SBUH 2009-2010 score is for the period October 2009 to September 2010.
	The New York State average score summarizes the average of health care organizations throughout New York State reporting to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the period October 2009 to September 2010.
	The U.S. average score summarizes the average of health care organizations throughout the United States reporting to CMS for the period October 2009 to September 2010.
	Top 10% score summarizes results from the best 10% of health care organizations reporting to CMS for the period October 2009 to September 2010.

See our results over time

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