Authors: Steven Filardo¹; Reuben Mata²; Cathy Willingham³; Louis Coyle³; Steven Older³; John Torrent³; Randolph Modlin³

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 170, Number 2, February 2005 , pp. 113-116(4)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

Background: Evacuation of soldiers with acute coronary syndromes to U.S. hospitals has been the treatment strategy of choice. However, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) complication rates have decreased to the point that it is feasible to bring this therapy forward. Methods: Patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes during Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 2003 to June 2003) were evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. Patients with a high clinical risk but a low interventional risk were selected for unprotected PCI. Results: PCI was successfully accomplished for 93% of patients (13 of 14 patients). One patient had a 1-month history of progressive angina and a chronic total lesion that could not be crossed. There were no major complications. Conclusion: Patients with acute coronary syndromes who are risk-stratified can be safely treated with PCI at overseas military hospitals lacking cardiothoracic surgical back-up assistance. This strategy minimizes the risk of transoceanic evacuation of this patient population.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433. 2: Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78236. 3: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany APO AE 09180.

Publication date: 2005-02-01

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• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
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