Delivering a modern PCI service: can we change with the times?

The volume and complexity of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is growing steadily. This, and the increasing tendency for these procedures to be unplanned, requires us to rethink the way we deliver care in this setting. This article addresses the processes involved, which include pooling of PCI lists, multidisciplinary team meetings and integrated care pathways for both elective and unplanned cases. The value of pre-assessment clinics, specific cardiac triage teams and “generic” catheter lab workers is also discussed. More traditional elements of the service such as on-call rotas are reappraised. Newer concepts, like dedicated PCI meetings to plan strategy and review previous problem cases for educational purposes, are also introduced.