Percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI

For advice on when to use percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), see Indications for reperfusion therapy for STEMI and Choice of reperfusion therapy.

PCI is performed in specialist centres. Adjuvant drug therapy usually includes:

• dual antiplatelet therapy—aspirin plus a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor
• periprocedural anticoagulation—unfractionated heparin, enoxaparin or bivalirudin. For dosage and timing, follow the local hospital protocol as determined by the interventional cardiologist; if a local protocol is not available, see Parenteral anticoagulant therapy for NSTEACS for an example of suitable doses.

A glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor may also be indicated, as determined by the interventional cardiologist.

See Antithrombotic therapy after insertion of a coronary artery stent for long-term antithrombotic therapy for a patient with a stent, and see Long-term management of acute coronary syndromes for other long-term management following an acute coronary syndrome.