Acute coronary syndromes
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: ACS; acute coronary syndrome
Overview
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to any group of symptoms attributed to obstruction of the coronary arteries. The most common symptom prompting diagnosis of ACS is chest pain, often radiating of the left arm or angle of the jaw, pressure-like in character, and associated with nausea and sweating. Acute coronary syndrome usually occurs as a result of one of three problems: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (30%), non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (25%), or unstable angina (38%).[1] These types are named according to the appearance of the electrocardiogram.[2] There can be some variation as to which forms of myocardial infarction (MI) are classified under acute coronary syndrome.
ACS should be distinguished from stable angina, which is chest pain which develops during exertion and resolves at rest. New onset angina however should be considered as a part of acute coronary syndrome, since it suggests a new problem in a coronary artery.Though ACS is usually associated with coronary thrombosis, it can also be associated with cocaine use.[3] Cardiac chest pain can also be precipitated by anemia, bradycardias (excessively slow heart rate) or tachycardias (excessively fast heart rate).
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome may refer to either of the three conditions listed below. For detailed information on the specific type of acute coronary syndrome, click on the links.
Diagnosis Using the Clinical Prediction Rule [4][5]
Guidelines for Risk Stratification
Guidelines for Pre-hospital Evaluation and Care
Guidelines for Initial Management
References
- ↑ Torres M, Moayedi S (May 2007). "Evaluation of the acutely dyspneic elderly patient". Clin. Geriatr. Med. 23 (2): 307–25, vi. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2007.01.007. PMID 17462519.
- ↑ Grech ED, Ramsdale DR (June 2003). "Acute coronary syndrome: unstable angina and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction". BMJ 326 (7401): 1259–61. doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7401.1259. PMID 12791748.
- ↑ Achar SA, Kundu S, Norcross WA (2005). "Diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome". Am Fam Physician 72 (1): 119–26. PMID 16035692.
- ↑ Christenson J, Innes G, McKnight D, Thompson CR, Wong H, Yu E et al. (2006). "A clinical prediction rule for early discharge of patients with chest pain.". Ann Emerg Med 47 (1): 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2005.08.007. PMID 16387209.
- ↑ Jalili M, Hejripour Z, Honarmand AR, Pourtabatabaei N (2012). "Validation of the vancouver chest pain rule: a prospective cohort study.". Acad Emerg Med 19 (7): 837-42. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2012.01399.x. PMID 22805631.
Table of Contents In Alphabetical Order | By Individual Diseases | Signs and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Lab Tests | Drugs
Editor Tools Become an Editor | Editors Help Menu | Create a Page | Edit a Page | Upload a Picture or File | Printable version | Permanent link | Maintain Pages | What Pages Link HereThere is no pharmaceutical or device industry support for this site and we need your viewer supported Donations | Editorial Board | Governance | Licensing | Disclaimers | Avoid Plagiarism | Policies
