Aims to provide a reference for health professionals who encounter patients with acute coronary syndromes. While the focus is on primary care, this book also includes discussions of some relevant aspects of hospital treatment. It provides practical guidance on translating an evidence base into daily management.

The aim of this book is to provide a readily accessible, up-to-date reference for the ever-growing numbers of health professionals who encounter patients with acute coronary syndromes. While the focus is on primary care, the authors include discussions of some relevant aspects of hospital treatment and have highlighted areas of controversy, aiming to provide a balanced view of current knowledge. From their experience as practising clinicians, they have tried to provide practical guidance about translating a burgeoning evidence base into daily management. Throughout the book, effort has also been made to provide a perspective that is relevant to an international readership. Accordingly, this full colour book will prove invaluable to busy clinicians everywhere.

Foreword Professor Kim Fox
Definitions: epidemiology and prognosis
Pathophysiology
- plaque rupture - inflammation and ACS - platelets and the coagulation system
Diagnosis - clinical signs and symptoms - chest pain evaluation - resting 12-lead ECG - cardiac enzymes and biomarkers - risk stratification - inflammatory and other prognostic markers - exercise testing - radionuclide testing - coronary angiography
Prevention of ACS
Current management
- site-based algorithms - rationale for specific treatments - oral antiplatelet therapies (aspirin and thienopyridines) - anti-thrombin therapies (heparin) (low molecular weight heparin) (direct thrombin inhibitors)
Intravenous anti-platelet therapy glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
Anti-ischaemic therapies - nitrates - beta blockers - calcium blockers - nicorandil
Medical revascularisation
Disease modifying agents - statins in ACS - ACE inhibitors - Do anti-infectives play a role?
Treatment of acute myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Clinical Cases Appendix 1 - Drug tables
Appendix 2 - Useful websites and addresses References Index