title: Acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: Acute coronary syndromes are defined as unstable angina, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, and Q-wave myocardial infarction. These entities remain among the commonest life-threatening illnesses in industrialized nations. Prompt recognition of a patient with an acute coronary syndrome is important since appropriate therapy can markedly improve the patient's prognosis. Reperfusion strategies for patients with Q-wave myocardial infarction, and anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy for patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction are examples of such potentially life-saving interventions. A number of adjunctive pharmacological interventions are also beneficial following reperfusion therapy in patients with Q-wave myocardial infarction. Management of Complications following Q-wave myocardial infarction has improved markedly in recent years. This is particularly the case with postinfarction ischemia or heart failure. Persistent arrhythmias, and in particular ventricular arrhythmias, remain a troubling challenge for the clinician. Reperfusion therapy markedly reduces the incidence of complications following Q-wave myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Alpert
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D015424:Reperfusion / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome; D014481:United States