Angioplasty is to become the treatment of choice in England for people who have a myocardial infarction, the Department of Health has announced, with 97% of patients expected to be having the procedure in specialist heart attack centres by 2011.

Results of a three year study involving 2400 patients treated in 10 hospitals across England show that primary angioplasty is feasible and cost effective.

Provided that the procedure is carried out within two hours of a heart attack, death rates are lower than with thrombolysis, the current standard treatment, and hospital stays are shorter, says a report of the study.

Roger …