Acute coronary syndrome is a term used to describe a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. One such condition is a heart attack (myocardial infarction) — when cell death results in damaged or destroyed heart tissue. Even when acute coronary syndrome causes no cell death, the reduced blood flow changes how your heart works and is a sign of a high risk of heart attack. Acute coronary syndrome often causes severe chest pain or discomfort. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and care. The goals of treatment include improving blood flow, treating complications and preventing future problems.

1. Acute Coronary Syndrome
MohmmadRjab Seder

2. Acute Coronary Syndrome
oBroad term for three types of coronary artery diseases:
Unstable angina
NSTEMI
STEMI
oACS result from acute obstruction of a coronary artery.
These syndromes all involve
acute coronary ischemia
and are distinguished based
on symptoms, ECG findings,
and cardiac marker levels.

3. ACS = crescendo angina + MI (STEMI/NSTEMI)
ACS may present as:
o New phenomenon
o Chronic stable angina
12% die within 1 month.
20% die within 6 months.

4. Aetiologies
Most common cause:
o Acute thrombus.
Rarer causes:
o Coronary artery embolism.
oCoronary spasm → Spasm-induced MI
o Spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
MINOCA
TYPE
1
TYPE
2

5. Classification of Acute MI

7. Commonly occluded coronary arteries:
LAD → RCA → circumflex

8. Clinical Features of ACS
(common in patients with inferior MI)

9. Clinical Features of ACS

10. Painless or ‘silent’ MI may also occur and is
particularly common in older patients or those
with diabetes mellitus.
Clinical Features of ACS

11. Complications of ACS … (1)
oArrhythmias; common arrhythmias in acute coronary syndrome

12. oPost-infarct angina - occur in up to 50% of patients treated with thrombolysis.
oAcute heart failure
oPericarditis
oDressler syndrome (“Post MI syndrome”)
oPapillary muscle rupture
oVentricular septal rupture
oVentricular rupture
oEmbolism
oVentricular aneurysm
Complications of ACS … (2)

13. Complications of ACS … (3)
oVentricular remodelling
o Potential complication of an acute transmural MI.
o Full-thickness MI → infarct expansion →
progressive dilatation and hypertrophy → HF

15. Investigations
oECG
oCardiac biomarkers
oRadiography
oEchocardiography
oCoronary angiography

16. Investigations
oECG
oCardiac biomarkers
oRadiography
oEchocardiography
oCoronary angiography
However
20% of ECGs may be normal initially.

17. Investigations
oECG
oCardiac biomarkers
oRadiography
oEchocardiography
oCoronary angiography

18. Investigations
oECG
oCardiac biomarkers
oRadiography
oEchocardiography
oCoronary angiography

19. Investigations
oECG
oCardiac biomarkers
oRadiography
oEchocardiography
oCoronary angiography

20. Investigations
oECG
oCardiac biomarkers
oRadiography
oEchocardiography
oCoronary angiography

21. Unstable Angina
oAKA: “crescendo angina”
oAngina at rest.
oPathophysiology: oxygen supply decreased secondary to reduced
resting coronary flow.
oREVERSIBLE.
oStenosis: ≥ 90% occlusion.
oDiagnosis:
o ± ST depression and/or T wave inversion on ECG.
oNo cardiac markers elevation. (unlike NSTEMI)

22. MI
…→ interruption of blood supply → ischaemia → cardiac necrosis → MI
o30% mortality rate.
oSymptoms:
o Discussed previously
o 1/3 asymptomatic. (painless infarcts/ atypical presentation)
oIRREVERSIBLE
oTypes:
oSubendocardial infarcts → NSTEMI
o Transmural infarcts → STEMI
↑ cardiac biomarkers
CK-MB, troponin

23. Diagnosis of MI
1. ECG
2. Cardiac enzymes
NSTEMI
(subendocardial injury)
STEMI
(transmural injury)
Occurs early
Can be missed
Evidence for necrosis
Typically seen late

24. T wave inversion is sensitive but not specific.

26. Diagnosis of MI
1. ECG
2. Cardiac enzymes
Troponin I and T
o Rise after 3-5 h.
o Peak at 24-48 h.
o Return to normal in 5-14 d.
CK-MB
o Rise after 4-8 h.
oPeak at 24-36 h.
o Return to normal at 2 d.

27. Acute Management
o Hospital admission with continuous cardiac monitoring.
o Initial: MONAH
M: Morphine
O: Oxygen (if SO2 < 94)
N: Nitrates (nitroglycerin) --- first line therapy for chest pain
A: Aspirin + Clopidogrel
H: Heparin (LMWH)
o Definitive:
o UA: PCI
o STEMI: 1st choice: PCI → 2nd choice: fibrinolytic therapy
o NSTEMI
o High-risk patients: antiplatelets, anticoagulants, B-blockers.
Consider: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and revascularization (angioplasty + stenting)
o Low-risk patients: monitor ECG and cardiac markers.

28. After Acute Management
oLifestyle modification:
o Quit smoking
o Reduce alcohol intake
oEating healthy
o Losing weight
o Exercise/training
o Treat diabetes, HTN, hyperlipidaemia
oPharmacological therapy: (ABAS)
o A: ACE-Is + Angiotensin receptor blockers.
o B: B-blockers (first line therapy if there are no contraindications)
o A: Aspirin + clopidogrel (for 8-12 months)
o S: Statins

29. Summary
oACS result from acute obstruction of a coronary artery.
oConsequences range from unstable angina to NSTEMI, STEMI, and
sudden cardiac death.
oSymptoms include chest discomfort with or without dyspnea, nausea,
and diaphoresis.
oDiagnosis is by ECG and serologic markers.

30. MohmmadRjab Seder
College of Medicine & Health Sciences
Palestine Polytechnic University
Hebron - Palestine
Email: mohmmadrjabs@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +972595950676
LinkedIn: MohmmadRjab Seder