Primary angioplasty “a new line of defence” for heart attacks

Primary angioplasty is due to become the country’s first line of treatment for heart attacks and save hundreds of lives every year, according to the Department of Health.

The study, carried out by the National Infarct Angioplasty Project (NIAP) and published by the department, has found it is both cost-effective and feasible to offer the treatment as an emergency procedure for 97 per cent of the population of England.

Clinical evidence has shown that using the method as the main treatment for heart attack patients will save roughly 240 more lives per year, reduce reoccurrences, prevent around 260 strokes on an annual basis and decrease the length of stay in hospital for primary angioplasty patients.

Presently, thrombolysis – an injection of clot-busting drugs – is the most common treatment for heart attack patients.

Alan Johnson, the health secretary, said: “The national roll out of the primary angioplasty strategy recommended in the NIAP report will save hundreds of lives each year and improve outcomes for many more heart attack patients.”

The department states it will monitor the extent of rollout and patient outcomes in order to help clinicians to benchmark progress with clinical performance indicators.

Yesterday, the department announced Ann Keen is to lead the development of the NHS constitution.