Epidemiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Campania

Recent observational studies have pointed out many problems regarding the pre-hospital and in-hospital management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The present study analyses the epidemiology of ACS in Campania Region. It has enrolled the 92.3% of coronary care units (CCU) of the Campania. The results indicate that 77% of patients admitted in CCU have ACS and the time of admission in CCU is still too long. Moreover the vast majority of patients arrive at the hospital without emergency ambulance and 48% of patients admitted in CCU for ACS with elevated ST segment do not receive any reperfusion therapy; compared with the 35.1% of patients included in the BLITZ study. The challenge of the SSN in the next future is to improve the “decision making” in the management of patients with ACS. This goal could be reached by an optimal organization of the hospital and out-of-hospital emergency services creating an integrated network of cardiological assistance.