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Acute coronary syndrome


In medicine and cardiology, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a collection of signs and symptoms due to inadequate oxygenation of the heart muscle, the myocardium, usually due to coronary artery disease.[1] ACS includes myocardial infarction ("heart attack") and angina.

Pain relief and proper oxygenation is the core of ACS treatment. When the root causie is angina, the temporary cause of ischemia should be reversed. For myocardial infarction, more vigorous interventions are appropriate if they can prevent damage to myocardium.

Etiology/causes

Atheroclerotic obstruction

ACS is usually caused by obstruction in an epicardial coronary artery.[2] The obstruction may be due to a thrombus at the site of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque.[3]

Rupture seems more likely to occur during the morning hours.[4] Rupture may be precipited by inflammation from non-cardiac infections.[5] Rupture may be triggered by vigorous exercise among individuals who do not ordinarily do vigorous exercise.[6]

Coronary vasospasm

Approximately 15% of NSTEMI and 2% of STEMI patients have no obstruction of coronary vessels and in about half of these patients, spasm can be induced of a coronary artery.[2]

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