How to reduce the time windows for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an effective procedure for re-establishing coronary artery perfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. PCI is the preferred therapeutic option when it can be performed by an experienced team within 90-120 min of the first medical contact. Time from the onset of symptoms to balloon inflation seems to correlate directly with mortality rates. We discuss both hospital strategies and territorial system networks aimed at reducing the time windows for primary PCI, thereby improving clinical outcome and survival rates.