SearchAcute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction, Unstable Angina
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the acute manifestation of coronary heart disease. It occurs when a thrombus forms over an atherosclerotic plaque within a coronary artery, an event described as atherothrombosis.5, 23 The symptoms and severity of acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina and myocardial infarction) vary depending on the degree to which thrombi occlude the coronary arteries.5, 23, 24
Learn more about acute coronary syndrome.
Unstable Angina
Among the spectrum of life-threatening disorders comprised by ACS is unstable angina, a worsening of angina symptoms caused by the formation of a thrombus that does not completely occlude the coronary artery and does not cause myocardial damage.23
Learn more about unstable angina.
Myocardial Infarction
Another life-threatening disorder comprised by ACS is myocardial infarction (MI) with no ST elevation (NSTEMI), which is similar to unstable angina but with signs of myocardial ischaemia on electrocardiogram.23
Learn more about myocardial infarction.
See also: Atrial Fibrillation
See also: Embolism Pulmonary Sign
- 5 - Fuster V, Moreno PR, Fayad ZA, Corti R, Badimon JJ. Atherothrombosis and high-risk plaque: part I: evolving concepts. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(6):937-954.
- 23 - Bassand JP, Hamm CW, Ardissino D, et al; Task Force for Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes of European Society of Cardiology. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2007;28(13):1598-1660.
- 24 - Rosamond W, Flegal K, Furie K, et al; American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics―2008 update: a report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation. 2008;117(4):e25-e146.
