Guidelines for percutaneous coronary intervention by the Belgian Working Group on Invasive Cardiology.

More than 20.000 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) procedures are performed yearly in Belgium. The success of new coronary devices as well as the expanded indications, notably in acute coronary syndromes, suggest a continuous increase in percutaneous revascularization procedures during the following years. Consequently, this increasing need for PCI has encouraged many hospitals to have an interventional programme. In addition, recent trials showing the superiority of PCI for the treatment of AMI, suggest that easy access to primary PCI for all patients would have the greatest potential to salvage the myocardium and reduce mortality. Although urgent surgical back-up is now exceptional thanks to the refinement of PCI materials and adjunctive treatment, performance of PCI still deserves optimal environmental conditions and physician expertise to be carried out with the expected efficacy. Considering the recent developments in interventional cardiology and the Belgian health care system, this document aims to define updated guidelines for the practice of PCI in Belgium.