Practical Implications of ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Unstable Angina/Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Unstable angina/non-ST elevationmyocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) is one of the major life-threatening causes of hospitalization in the United States. The number of hospital discharges for acute coronary syndrome in 2005 was estimated at 1.4 million and approximately 0.4 million discharges per year were for STEMI while 1 million were for UA/NSTEMI. Evidenced-based medications and lifestyle modification interventions are probably used less frequently in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Quality improvement interventions to improve adherence to the guidelines may reduce the high mortality rates associated with ACS in contemporary practice. In this article we focused on practical implications of American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) 2007 guidelines for the management of UA/NSTEMI. It will aid to provide the supporting evidence for the acute as well as continued management of patients with these disorders.