Morbidity and mortality rates of acute heart attack emphasize the significance of this patient group worldwide. The prompt and exact diagnosis and the timing of adequate therapy is crucial for this patients. Modern supply of acute heart attack includes invasive cardiology intervention, primer percutaneous coronary intervention. In year 1999, American and European recommendations suggested primer percutaneous coronary intervention only as an alternative possibility instead of thrombolysis, or in case of cardiogenic shock. 24 hour intervention unit for patients with acute heart attack was first organized in Hungary in Zala County Hospital's Cardiology Department, in year 1998. Our present study confirms, that since the intervention treatment has been introduced, average mortality rate has been reduced considerably in our area comparing to the national average.
Methods: Mortality rates in West Transdanubian region and in Zalaegerszeg's micro-region were studied and compared for the period between 1997-2004, according to the data of National Public Health and Medical Officer Service. These data were then compared with the national average mortality data of Hungarian Central Statistical Office. With the help of our own computerized database we examined this period and compared the number of the completed invasive interventions to the mortality statistics.
Results: In the first full year, in 1998, we completed 82 primer and 283 elective PCIs; these number increased to 318 and 1265 by year 2005. At the same time, significant decrease of acute infarction related mortality was detectable among men of the Zalaegerszeg micro-region, comparing to the national average (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The first Hungarian 24 hour acute heart attack intervention care improved the area's mortality statistics significantly, comparing to the national average. The skilled work of the experienced team means an important advantage to the patients in Zalaegerszeg micro-region.