Reperfusion therapy for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction 2010/2011: current status in 37 ESC countries

Aims Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to evaluate the contemporary status on the use and type of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. Methods and results A cross-sectional descriptive study based on aggregated country-level data on the use of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI during 2010 or 2011. Thirty-seven ESC countries were able to provide data from existing national or regional registries. In countries where no such registries exist, data were based on best expert estimates. Data were collected on the use of STEMI reperfusion treatment and mortality, the numbers of cardiologists, and the availability of PPCI facilities in each country. Our survey provides a brief data summary of the degree of variation in reperfusion therapy across Europe. The number of PPCI procedures varied between countries, ranging from 23 to 884 per million inhabitants. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis were the dominant reperfusion strategy in 33 and 4 countries, respectively. The mean population served by a single PPCI centre with a 24-h service 7 days a week ranged from 31 300 inhabitants per centre to 6 533 000 inhabitants per centre. Twenty-seven of the total 37 countries participated in a former survey from 2007, and major increases in PPCI utilization were observed in 13 of these countries. Conclusion Large variations in reperfusion treatment are still present across Europe. Countries in Eastern and Southern Europe reported that a substantial number of STEMI patients are not receiving any reperfusion therapy. Implementation of the best reperfusion therapy as recommended in the guidelines should be encourage

Enhancing engineering qualities by adopting the total design approach in final year projects

Context: The final year project is an important part of an engineer’s education. This segment of the curriculum provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to apply and extend their skills and knowledge. It provides students with an opportunity to undertake an extensiveindependent exploration of a particular topic. In addition to applying the skills that are developed in the undergraduate courses, students will develop skills in research, project management and technical communication. The contemporary availability of advancedcomputerised platforms allows students to experience the comparative analysis of viable solutions in engineering design.Purpose Or Goal: This paper presents a pilot study on a new approach to final year projects based on the ‘total design approach’. This new approach hypothesises that analytical thinking and creativity is enhanced by a holistic approach to engineering design. This paper investigates theenhancements in the learning experience and graduate qualities of students once they are introduced to this new approach.Approach: The main methodology used for data collection was a quiz that was undertaken by different cohorts of final year mechanical engineering students. In addition, observations were recorded by instructors, and selective interviews enabled deeper investigation of the mostcharacteristic inferences.Actual or Anticipated Outcomes: The outcome of this study showed that enhancement in graduate qualities was acknowledged by students who were introduced to this new approach. This was measured by responses across different cohorts of students.CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARYThis study concludes that this new approach to final year projects should be implemented as it promotes quality learning experiences and improves the engineering qualities of students