Acute coronary artery syndrome (ACS) is a term used to describe a range of conditions that occur when blood flow to the heart muscle is suddenly reduced or blocked. ACS is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment to minimize damage to the heart muscle.
The three main conditions that fall under the umbrella of ACS are:
Unstable angina: This is a type of chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion and is typically more severe and longer-lasting than stable angina. It occurs when there is a partial blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries.
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): This occurs when a blood clot partially blocks one of the coronary arteries, causing damage to the heart muscle. NSTEMI is a type of heart attack that does not show changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) readings.
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): This occurs when a blood clot completely blocks one of the coronary arteries, causing damage to the heart muscle. STEMI is a type of heart attack that shows changes in the ECG readings.
Here are some treatment options for the three main types of ACS:
Unstable angina: Treatment for unstable angina typically involves medications to improve blood flow to the heart, reduce the risk of blood clots, and manage symptoms. Medications may include nitroglycerin, aspirin, beta-blockers, and statins.
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): Treatment for NSTEMI may involve medications to improve blood flow, dissolve blood clots, and manage symptoms. Medications may include aspirin, heparin, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and beta-blockers. A procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may also be performed to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow.
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): Treatment for STEMI may involve medications to improve blood flow, dissolve blood clots, and manage symptoms. Medications may include aspirin, heparin, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, beta-blockers, and thrombolytic therapy to dissolve the blood clot that is causing the blockage. A procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may also be performed as soon as possible to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow. In some cases, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be necessary to create a new route for blood flow around the blocked or narrowed art.ery