The current guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology have up-dated and confirmed the role of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as the preferred reperfusion therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome and ST-elevation. The establishment of regional network structures for implementation of this reperfusion strategy is recommended and described. Primary PCI should preferably be carried out via the transradial route and should include the implantation of modern drug-eluting stents. In most cases of coronary multivessel disease, primary PCI should be limited to the treatment of the infarcted artery. Routine mechanical thrombus aspiration during primary PCI is no longer recommended. Recommendations for a specific anti-thrombotic and secondary prophylactic medication after primary PCI are highlighted.
Keywords: Drug-eluting stents; Multivessel disease; Percutaneous coronary intervention; Reperfusion; Transradial route.