Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: treatment guidelines for the nurse practitioner.
OBJECTIVE
To increase awareness among nurse practitioners (NPs) of the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) 2002 guideline update for the diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary syndrome, and for secondary prevention in patients with unstable angina (UA) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).


METHODS
ACC/AHA 2002 guideline update for the management of patients with UA and NSTEMI, ACC/AHA guidelines for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease, 2006 update, selected research and clinical articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent research has shown that patients with UA/NSTEMI benefit from the routine, long-term use of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. In suitable patients, outcome is also improved by adoption of an early invasive strategy combined with aggressive medical therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Familiarity with the patient as well as current management recommendations can improve clinical outcomes for patients with UA/NSTEMI. Thus, NPs can play a pivotal role in the management of coronary disease, both during and following an acute ischemic event.
Albert
Nancy
N
Division of Nursing and CNS, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. albertn@ccf.org
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000451:nursing
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents