Acute coronary syndromes: from the emergency department to the cardiac care unit

Abstract

Acute coronary syndromes result in a significant burden of morbidity and mortality in the United States. This spectrum of acute coronary thrombosis (including unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction) has been well studied in large clinical trials. This review details the initial management of patients presenting with possible acute coronary syndromes in the context of care from the emergency department to the cardiac care unit. The importance of a rapid and focused evaluation, risk stratification, and appropriate therapies are discussed.