High-risk acute coronary syndrome patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: definition and treatment.
BACKGROUND
Early risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), unstable angina, or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction ensures patients receive appropriate care.


METHODS
Many risk-stratification models have been developed to identify high-risk ACS patients who would benefit most from an early invasive strategy and to determine patients at greater risk for bleeding complications. Although high-risk patients seem to benefit most from a combination of aggressive antithrombotic and early invasive therapies, stratification for risk of bleeding also helps in the choice and dosing of appropriate medical therapy.


RESULTS
The effective use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, in particular, is dependent on accurate risk assessment, whereas the risk-to-benefit ratio of direct thrombin inhibitors in high-risk versus low-risk patients as part of an initial therapy plan requires clarification. Nevertheless, use of the same anticoagulant throughout the care pathway may reduce the rates of death or recurrent myocardial infarction, and bleeding complications.
Cohen
Marc
M
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112, USA. marcohen@sbhcs.com
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000465:Algorithms; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors