Almanac Serial
Almanac 2013: acute coronary syndromes
1Division of Cardiology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, Connecticut-
2Division of Cardiology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, Connecticut-USA
33Division of Cardiology, Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol-UK
2Division of Cardiology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, Connecticut-USA
33Division of Cardiology, Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol-UK
Abstract
Unstable coronary artery plaque is the most common underlying cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and can manifest as unstable angina, non-ST segment elevation infarction (NSTE-ACS), and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but can also manifest as sudden cardiac arrest due to ischaemia induced tachyarrhythmias. ACS mortality has decreased significantly over the last few years, especially from the more extreme manifestations of ACS, STEMI, and cardiac arrest. This trend is likely to continue based on recent therapeutic progress which includes novel antiplatelet agents such as prasugrel, ticagrelor, and cangrelor.