Background: The implementation of the latest medical innovations can vary widely within the same geographic area. This study aimed to describe the current status of recent innovations in the field of coronary interventional cardiology in 4 regions of Northern Italy.
Methods: From April to May 2014, 4 regional delegations of the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology (SICI-GISE) have promoted a multicenter survey. By means of a web-based methodology, a focused questionnaire was administered to head physicians of 97 cath-labs in 4 Italian regions within the "GISE TOLOVE" area (Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna).
Results: Pharmacological and technological innovations in coronary interventional cardiology appear to be widely used in the area covered by this survey, with uniformity in application and availability of therapeutic devices and drugs within the 4 regions involved. The main limiting factors to the adoption of new technologies and drugs were economic factors or lack of scientific evidence for some specific devices or drugs.
Conclusions: This survey showed widespread and consistent application of the main latest innovations in coronary interventional cardiology across 4 Italian regions of Northern Italy.