急性冠状动脉综合征院前急救中应用替罗非班的有效性和安全性研究

目的:研究急性冠状动脉综合征(AES)患者在院前急救中应用替罗非班的有效性和安全性.方法:将2005年5月至2008年5月连续的78例ACS患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,前者院前急救中给予替罗非班,后者常规治疗,两组入院以后即刻行PCI术,比较两组PCI术后即刻罪犯血管(CV)的TIM I血流分级,术后6、12 h肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)的改变以及术后30 d内的主要不良心脏事件(MACE)的发生率、术后出血的发生率和需要输血的比例.结果:术后即刻治疗组和对照组CV的TIMI血流分级、CK-MB值方面治疗组明显优于对照组,而两组间术后30d的MACE发生率以及术后出血、输血的比例差异无统计学意义.结论:ACS患者院前急救中使用替罗非班是安全、有效的,其疗效优于常规治疗.     

替罗非班联合急诊PCI对急性心肌梗死疗效观察

目的了解急性心肌梗死（AMI）行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）时,应用替罗非班改善冠状动脉血流和临床预后的疗效。方法所有确诊ST段抬高性心肌梗死（STEMI）并于发作6h内行急诊PCI手术患者80例,随机分为治疗组（A组）和控制组（B组）各40例,两组均给予急诊PCI术及氯吡格雷、阿司匹林、肝素和低分子肝素、他汀类、β受体阻滞剂等治疗,A组另给予替罗非班静脉内使用,观察两组在病变性质和术后即刻靶血管TIM／血流分级、术后心电图改变（ST段回落幅度）、术后30d内心脏不良事件（MACE）及出血事件发生率,并随访出院后MACE发生情况。结果A组PCI术后即刻靶血管TIMI血流分级明显高于B组,使用替罗非班治疗期间,A、B组出血事件及血小板减少症发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,A组术后ST段回落幅度较B组明显、30d内MACE发生率明显低于B组,随访期间心血管不良事件发生率A组明显低于B组。结论在阿司匹林、氯吡格雷抗血小板治疗的基础上,ACS患者急诊PCI术中应用替罗非班比单纯PCI术及常规药物治疗,能进一步改善心肌灌注,从而改善预后。     

不同时期小剂量国产替罗非班在急性冠状动脉综合征介入治疗中的初步应用的疗效及安全性

目的 观察小剂量国产替罗非班在急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)介入治疗中应用的疗效及安全性.方法 共入选162 例ACS 患者,其中男90 例,女72 例,均符合冠状动脉介入治疗适应证并成功进行了冠状动脉血运重建.将入选患者随机分为两组,A 组80 例,术前30 min 或术中立即按说明书提供的剂量减半(0.2 μg· kg-1 · min-1 )静脉滴注应用国产盐酸替罗非班,30 min 后改为0.05 μg· kg-1 · min-1,连续静脉滴注24 ～48 h;B 组82 例,术后回到病房即刻应用盐酸替罗非班,剂量及方法同A 组.两组术后肝素或低分子肝素减为半量,阿司匹林及氯吡格雷按ACS 的常规剂量使用.观察用药后30 d 内任何原因的死亡、新的心肌梗死及顽固性心绞痛的发生情况.结果 A 组30 d 内因急性泵功能衰竭死亡1 例(1.25%),无新的心肌梗死及顽固性心绞痛发生;B 组30 d 内出现顽固性心绞痛1 例(1.22%),无死亡及新发心肌梗死;A、B 两组间无统计学差异(χ2 ＝0.19,P >0.05).A 组发生轻中度出血4 例(5.00%),无严重出血发生;B 组发生轻中度出血3 例(3.66%),无严重出血发生;A、B 两组间无统计学差异(χ2 ＝0.0001,P >0.05).A 组血小板聚集率从(63.5 ±17.4)%降为用药后的(31.7 ±13.5)%,差异有统计学意义(t ＝6.28,P <0.05);B 组血小板聚集率从(64.1 ±18.2)%降为用药后的(32.4 ±13.3)%,差异有统计学意义(t ＝6.28,P <0.05);A、B两组间无统计学差异(t ＝1.62,P >0.05).结论 术前30 min、术中或术后应用小剂量替罗非班均有良好的抗血小板作用,无严重出血并发症,安全性良好.     

盐酸替罗非班在急性冠状动脉综合征应用中的护理

急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)包括不稳定性心绞痛和心肌梗死.最常见的原因是动脉粥样硬化斑块破裂、血小板活化聚集,冠脉内血小板血栓形成,冠脉狭窄,从而导致心肌氧供需失衡.目前,抗凝抗血小板治疗联合经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(Peretaaneom coronaly intervention,PCI)已成为ACS最重要的治疗手段.抗血小板治疗是严重心肌缺血的治疗原则之一,目前临床常用的抗血小板药物阿司匹林、氯吡格雷,只能分别阻止血小板活化中一条途径.     

替罗非班治疗急性冠状动脉综合征的效果评价

目的对替罗非班治疗急性冠状动脉综合征的效果进行评价。方法选取42例急性冠状动脉综合征患者,随机分为对照组（常规治疗）与观察组（常规加替罗非班）,每组21例。疗程持续时间36 h,对36 h及30 d的复合终点事件进行观察和记录。结果在复合终点事件的发生率方面对照组高于观察组,观察组肌钙蛋白T在14 h后的峰值水平较对照组低,差异有统计学意义。结论对于急性冠状动脉综合征的治疗,应用替罗非班具有较强的抗血小板及抗血栓作用,显著改善患者的临床预后,且临床应用中具有较好的安全性,值得推广及应用。     

替罗非班在急性冠脉综合征介入治疗中的疗效观察及对心功能的干预分析

分析替罗非班在急性冠脉综合征介入治疗中的疗效和对心功能的影响。回顾性分析72例急性冠脉综合征经皮冠脉介入手术者,其中36例使用替罗非班者作为观察组,另外36例未使用替罗非班者作为对照组,对两组TIMI分级、心功能、不良事件发生情况作对比分析。观察组血流恢复、心功能改善优于对照组(P0.05);两组出血事件发生率相比无统计学差异(P0.05),观察组心血管事件发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。替罗非班能改善急性冠脉综合征介入治疗后无复流现象,且不增加出血事件,值得临床推广应用与进一步研究。     

盐酸替罗非班在PCI术后患者中的应用

目的探讨盐酸替罗非班应用于急性冠脉综合征患者行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后的护理方法。方法对2013年6月~2014年6月我院收治的86例行PCI术的急性冠脉综合征患者应用盐酸替罗非班的临床观察和护理进行分析。结果 86例患者行PCI手术全部成功,术后24h、36h及30d未发生不良心血管事件,未发生严重出血并发症。结论盐酸替罗非班应用于急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后效果良好,可减少术后不良事件的发生。     

早期应用盐酸替罗非班介入治疗急性心肌梗死的效果

目的探究并分析早期应用盐酸替罗非班在介入治疗急性心肌梗死的效果和安全性。方法选择急诊科2010年1月至2012年12月收治的98例急性心肌梗死患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组和试验组各49例,试验组经冠状动脉内注入维拉帕米,对照组经冠状动脉内注入替罗非班,比较两组患者每搏输出量（SV）、左室射血分数（LVEF）、主要心血管事件（出院前死亡、急性再发心梗、梗死后心绞痛、心力衰竭、心律失常）和术后3d内出血情况。结果治疗3d后,试验组患者SV和LVEF明显高于对照组（P均〈0．01）。两组患者主要心血管事件和出血的发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P均〉0．05）。结论早期应用盐酸替罗非班介入治疗急性心肌梗死安全、高效,不良反应少。     

替罗非班联合介入手术治疗急性冠状动脉综合征的观察和护理

急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）是由于各种原因导致血管内皮损伤、动脉粥样斑块破裂,诱发血小板激活、聚集而引起的临床综合征,包括急性心肌梗死和不稳定型心绞痛.急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PCI）是重建冠状动脉灌注最有效的方法[1].但冠状动脉介入侵袭性操作会增加血栓脱落和远端微循环栓塞可能.有研究表明,急诊PCI术联合盐酸替罗非班可以明显改善冠状动脉的血流和远端组织灌注,改善预后[2].我科2012年2月-2012年12月对收治的45例急性冠状动脉综合征病人在传统应用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷、低分子肝素联合PCI术的基础上加用盐酸替罗非班静脉治疗,取得较好疗效.现将临床观察和护理要点总结如下.     

高负荷氯吡格雷联合替罗非班在非ST段抬高型急性冠状动脉综合征经皮冠状动脉介入治疗中的作用

目的探讨高负荷剂量氯吡格雷联合替罗非班在高危非ST段抬高型急性冠状动脉综合征(acutecoronary syndrome,ACS)患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)中的作用及安全性。方法 152例拟行PCI术的高危非ST段抬高型ACS患者,术前口服氯吡格雷600mg+替罗非班0.4μg/(kg.min)静脉注射30min,继以0.1μg/(kg.min)持续静脉泵入至术后36h者72例为观察组,术前仅口服氯吡格雷600mg者80例为对照组,观察PCI术后TIMI血流分级、心肌灌注、30d内主要不良心血管事件和出血并发症发生率。结果 PCI术后观察组患者心肌灌注分级TMPG 2级以上发生率(87.5%)高于对照组(72.5%)(P<0.05),观察组校正TIMI计帧数(24.70±6.60)小于对照组(27.33±6.42)(P<0.05);2组PCI术后病变血管血流TIMI 3级发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组30d主要不良心血管事件发生率(9.7%)低于对照组(23.8%)(P<0.05),2组出血事件发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 PCI术前静脉应用替罗非班联合高负荷剂量氯吡格雷,可改善ACS患者PCI术后心肌灌注、减少30d内主要心血管事件发生率,且不增加出血风险。     

Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients with Diabetes: Implications of the FREEDOM Trial

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a powerful independent risk factor for multivessel, diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). The optimal coronary revascularization strategy in DM is not clearly defined, but past trials have suggested an advantage for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Recently, the Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease (FREEDOM) trial found patients randomized to CABG had lower rates of death and myocardial infarction (MI) compared with those randomized to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Objective

This article reviews the contemporary management of patients with DM presenting with acute coronary syndromes, particularly ST-elevation MI, in the post-FREEDOM era.

Methods

We undertook a comprehensive review of published literature addressing trials in this field performed to address current knowledge both in the pre- and post-FREEDOM era.

Results

The implications of FREEDOM for patients with acute coronary syndrome are that CABG provides a significant benefit, compared with PCI with drug-eluting stents, to patients with DM and multivessel coronary artery disease; and that patients similar to those enrolled in FREEDOM should receive CABG in preference to PCI. The relevance of FREEDOM’s findings to the large proportion of patients who would not meet inclusion criteria—including patients with an acute coronary syndrome undergoing an early or emergent invasive strategy, remains uncertain.

Discussion

FREEDOM’s outcomes have generated uncertainty regarding best practice once thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow is re-established in patients with DM and multivessel disease. Current interventional guidelines recommend optimally treating the culprit artery; however, decisions made at the time of revascularization influence future revascularization strategies, particularly stent choice and resultant P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist therapy. The preferred method for future revascularization may be questioned if the patient's residual coronary stenoses do not, post-PCI, meet the FREEDOM inclusion criteria, or where the left anterior descending artery is the infarct-related artery, and after left anterior descending artery PCI the patient would not receive an internal mammary graft. The management of residual disease and the preferred (further) revascularization strategy needs to be tested in an appropriately powered randomized trial.

Conclusions

The optimal revascularization strategy in patients with acute coronary syndrome, diabetes, and multivessel disease, in particular those with ST elevation, is unclear, and not guided by level A (or B) evidence. Currently CABG is favored over PCI, and an individually tailored, collaborative approach, guided by a multidisciplinary heart team, should be employed.     

阿托伐他汀联合替罗非班治疗对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死直接PCI术中无复流现象的影响

目的：探讨术前服用大剂量阿托伐他汀联合冠状动脉内注射替罗非班治疗对急性 ST段抬高型心肌梗死（STEMI）患者直接PCI 术中无复流现象（NRP）的影响。方法将94例发病12 h内行直接PCI 术中出现NRP的STEMI患者按照随机双盲法分为2组：阿托伐他汀组（54例）和对照组（40例）。2组行直接PCI术前均采用氯吡格雷片300 mg、拜阿司匹林肠溶片300 mg顿服。在此基础上,阿托伐他汀组加用阿托伐他汀钙80 mg口服。2组术中出现NRP时,经指引导管冠状动脉内注入替罗非班10μg·kg-1,5 min注射完毕。观察2组患者PCI术中出现NRP前（D0）、PCI术结束前末次（D1）的心肌梗死溶栓治疗（TIMI）血流分级（TIMI 0级、1-2级、3级）,TIMI心肌灌注分级（TMPG 0级、1-2级和3级）,校正TIMI 帧数（cTFC）、ST 段回落幅度（STR）及术前,术后12、24和48 h血清心肌肌钙蛋白 I （cTnI）水平的情况。结果2组D0、D1时TIMI 0级,D0时TIMI 1-2级、TIMI 3级、TMPG 3级,D1时TMPG 1-2级比例比较差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）;2组D1时TIMI 1-2级、TIMI 3级、TMPG 0级、TMPG 1-2级、TMPG 3级与D0时比较差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）;阿托伐他汀组D1时TIMI 1-2级,D0、D1时TMPG 0级比例均低于对照组, D1时TIMI 3级、D0时TMPG 1-2级、D1时TMPG3级比例均高于对照组（均P＜0.05）。阿托伐他汀组STR＜30%比例低于对照组（P＜0.05）;2组术后12、24和48 h cTnI水平均明显低于术前,阿托伐他汀组均明显低于对照组（均P＜0.05）。结论 PCI术前预先使用大剂量阿托伐他汀未能减少术中NRP的发生。术前预先使用大剂量阿托伐他汀可以改善NRP 出现后心肌灌注,联合冠状动脉内注射替罗非班较单纯冠状动脉内注射替罗非班在改善NRP方面更明显。     

急性冠状动脉综合征介入治疗联合应用盐酸替罗非班对围手术期转归的影响

目的:探讨在急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者病程中常规治疗联合应用盐酸替罗非班对心肌组织水平再灌注与围PCI术期严重心脏不良事件(MACE)的影响。方法:2005—2006年间15例在急诊或择期PCI术前具有形成血栓的高危因素或PCI术时发现慢血流现象或血栓的ACS患者,在术前、术中或术后应用盐酸替罗非班,按推荐剂量经外周静脉或冠脉内直接注入药物,观察15～20min后相关血管的血栓征象、血栓负荷、TIMI分级情况、术后MACE及出血并发症等。结果:15例ACS患者,男性13例,女性2例,年龄44～75岁,起病时间在数小时至数天。全部患者术中即刻造影均未见有明显的新发血栓形成,原有新鲜血栓消失,肇事血管前向血流由TIMI0～2级恢复至TIMI3级。术后14例患者术后一般情况稳定,症状明显改善或消失,住院期间未发生MACE与出血并发症,但有1例患者在住院期间因心源性休克、多器官功能衰竭死亡。结论:对ACS介入治疗围手术期存有靶血管高危因素存在(如慢血流、血栓等征象)的患者,经冠脉或外周静脉应用盐酸替罗非班有助于改善心肌组织再灌注水平,减少围手术期血栓并发症所致的MACE发生。     

辛伐他汀对急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清MMP-1、MMP-9水平的影响

目的探讨急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)辛伐他汀与动脉粥样斑块稳定的可能机制。方法选择ACS患者60例,随机分成辛伐他汀治疗组(30例)及常规治疗组(30例),比较各组患者血清MMP-1、MMP-9水平变化。30例健康人作为对照。结果ACS、健康对照组之间MMP-1、MMP-9水平比较差异有统计学意义,辛伐他汀治疗组与常规治疗组治疗后血清MMP-1、MMP-9水平相比差异有统计学意义。结论辛伐他汀可降低ACS患者血清MMP-1、MMP-9水平从而起到稳定动脉粥样硬化斑块的作用。     

Factors Affecting Cardiac Catheterization Rates in Elders with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background: Elder patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are less likely to receive cardiac catheterization. The reasons for this are unclear.
Objectives: To assess whether elder patients who had a documented history of dementia, lived in extended care facilities, or had do not intubate–do not resuscitate (DNR-DNI) advance directives were less likely to receive cardiac catheterization, despite having ACS with high-risk features.
Methods: This was a medical record review conducted at an urban teaching hospital. DNR-DNI status before hospitalization, extended care facility (nursing home or assisted living) residence, and a previous diagnosis of dementia were obtained from the medical record. Patients 65 years and older who presented to the emergency department with acute myocardial infarction or with unstable angina with ST segment deviation were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were reported with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Of the 201 eligible patients, 66 (32.8%) patients did not undergo cardiac catheterization. In the univariate analysis, patients who had dementia, resided in extended care facilities, or were DNR-DNI were less likely to receive cardiac catheterization. Only extended care facility residence (OR, 0.18; 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.83) and DNR-DNI status (OR, 0.19; 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.92) remained significantly associated with decreased cardiac catheterization in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: Elder patients with ACS residing in extended care facilities or who are DNR-DNI are less likely to receive cardiac catheterization. Future studies concerning the quality of ACS care for elders should take these variables into account.     

血栓抽吸联合梗死相关动脉内注射替罗非班在ST段抬高型心肌梗死延迟PCI术中的临床研究

目的探讨血栓抽吸联合梗死相关动脉内注射盐酸替罗非班在处理接受延迟PCI术的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的有效性及安全性。方法将急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者240例,按随机数字表法分为2组,传统PCI术组120例接受传统PCI术治疗,血检抽吸联合PCI术组120例,接受血栓抽吸联合梗死相关动脉内注射盐酸替罗非班治疗。比较2组患者临床特征、梗死相关冠脉的开通率、PCI术成功率、出血并发症发生率、住院时间、住院费用、住院期间死亡率、住院期间不稳定性心绞痛发生率、再梗或严重脑卒中发生率、心力衰竭发生率、复合终点事件发生率（不稳定性心绞痛、再梗或严重脑卒中、心力衰竭）,并对所有患者进行为期6个月的随访。结果 2组患者临床及冠脉造影特征比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。血栓抽吸联合PCI术组与传统PCI术相比,梗死相关冠脉开通率更高（98%比92%,P=0.03）,住院期间不稳定性心绞痛发生率更低（4.8%比6.4%,P=0.03）、复合终点发生率更低（13.9%比16.2%,P=0.03）;术后6个月随访期间不稳定性心绞痛发生率更低（4.6%比5.8%,P=0.03）、心力衰竭发生率更低（6.8%比7.6%,P=0.03）、复合终点发生率更低（14.6%比16.8%,P=0.05）。结论血栓抽吸联合PCI术能减少接受延迟PCI术的STEMI患者住院期间及术后6个月不稳定性心绞痛及复合终点事件发生率,减少术后6个月心衰发生率,更好地保护残存的心肌,改善患者的心功能。     

急诊经皮冠脉介入治疗急性心肌梗死138例临床分析

目的:探讨急诊经皮冠脉介入治疗(PCI)急性心肌梗死(AMI)的疗效和安全性.方法:回顾性分析2008年1月至2010年6月收治的发病12 h内或超过12 h但仍有胸痛伴ST段抬高的AMI或有胸痛12 h内伴完全性左束支传导阻滞患者138例行急诊PCI术的临床资料,观察梗死相关血管(IRA)再通率,TIMI血流III级及无复流发生率、住院病死率、并发症.结果:IRA再通率为99.3% ,TIMI血流III级130例,无复流1例,TIMI血流Ⅱ级7例,无术中死亡病例,术后死亡2例.结论:急诊PCI治疗急性心肌梗死安全有效.     

Targeting the Unstable Plaque in Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background

Rupture or erosion of an unstable atherosclerotic plaque is the typical pathology and usual cause of acute coronary syndromes. Despite detailed understanding of the processes of lipid accumulation, thinning of the fibrous cap, and inflammation leading to plaque instability, there are no strategies in clinical use that uniquely target the unstable plaque.

Objective

A critical review of recent publications on potential therapies that could be used to stabilize unstable plaque.

Methods

We searched PubMed, other literature databases, drug development sites, and clinical trial registries to retrieve clinical studies on anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating therapies that could be used to stabilize unstable atherosclerotic plaque.

Results

Multiple experimental targets involving lipid and inflammatory pathways have the potential to stabilize the plaque and expand the armamentarium against coronary artery disease. Randomized clinical trials of darapladib, methotrexate, canakinumab, and colchicine are well advanced to establish if plaque stabilization is feasible and effective in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Conclusions

Although there are still no agents in clinical use for plaque stabilization, there are important advances in understanding plaque instability and several encouraging approaches are being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials.     

The Elder Patient with Suspected Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Emergency Department

Objectives To describe the evaluation and outcomes of elder patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods This was a post hoc analysis of the Internet Tracking Registry for Acute Coronary Syndromes (i^?trACS) registry, which had 17,713 ED visits for suspected ACS. First visits from the United States with nonmissing patient demographics, 12‐lead electrocardiogram results, and clinical history were included in the analysis. Those who used cocaine or amphetamines or left the ED against medical advice were excluded. Elder was defined as age 75 years or older. ACS was defined by 30‐day revascularization, Diagnosis‐related Group codes, or death within 30 days with positive cardiac biomarkers at index hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between being elder and 1) 30‐day all‐cause mortality, 2) ACS, 3) diagnostic tests ordered, and 4) disposition. Multivariable logistic regression was also performed to determine which clinical variables were associated with ACS in elder and nonelder patients. Results A total of 10,126 patients with suspected ACS presenting to the ED were analyzed. For patients presenting to the ED, being elder was independently associated with ACS and all‐cause 30‐day mortality, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 2.2) and 2.6 (95% CI = 1.6 to 4.3), respectively. Elder patients were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI = 1.8 to 2.6), but there were no differences in the rates of cardiac catheterization and noninvasive stress cardiac imaging. Different clinical variables were associated with ACS in elder and nonelder patients. Chest pain as chief complaint, typical chest pain, and previous history of coronary artery disease were significantly associated with ACS in nonelder patients but were not associated with ACS in elder patients. Male gender and left arm pain were associated with ACS in both elder and nonelder patients. Conclusions Elder patients who present to the ED with suspected ACS represent a population at high risk for ACS and 30‐day mortality. Elders are more likely to be admitted to the hospital, but despite an increased risk for adverse events, they have similar odds of receiving a diagnostic test, such as stress cardiac imaging or cardiac catheterization, compared with nonelder patients. Different clinical variables are associated with ACS, and clinical prediction rules utilizing presenting symptoms should consider the effect modification of age.     

Improving the Care of Patients with Non-ST-elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Emergency Department: The CRUSADE Initiative

Although acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a well-recognized source of morbidity and mortality for patients with cardiovascular disease, evidence-based therapies shown to improve outcomes for ACS are frequently underused in appropriate patients, especially in the emergency department (ED). Despite dissemination of expert recommendations from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and ED-focused recapitulation of them in the emergency medicine literature, significant barriers continue to limit the adoption of guidelines in clinical practice and appear to hinder the use of beneficial therapies and interventions in the ED. Unique and creative approaches are therefore needed to stimulate better adherence to practice guidelines and improve the quality of care for patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE) ACS. The CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress ADverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) quality improvement and educational initiative provides an innovative and multifaceted approach to the education of emergency physicians and cardiologists in the care of patients with NSTE ACS. The CRUSADE initiative is a multidisciplinary cooperative effort involving over 400 EDs and medical centers. It includes an ACS registry designed to characterize demographic patterns and risk stratification results in patients who meet diagnostic criteria for high-risk NSTE ACS. It also measures the use of ED treatment modalities including aspirin, heparin, beta-blockers, and platelet inhibitors as recommended in the ACC/AHA guidelines. The results of a given institution's treatment patterns will be reported back to the practitioners, with comparisons with national norms. These reports can be used as quality improvement tools to improve care at participating institutions. Beyond a static registry, these reports are coupled with educational efforts by the CRUSADE steering committee, scientific publications of risk stratification practice and success, as well as ED patterns of care, and tailored educational interventions, to reinforce compliance with the ACC/AHA guidelines. This initiative represents a truly innovative approach to improving care for ACS patients in the ED as well as on the cardiology service. This article describes the CRUSADE initiative and its implications for the practicing emergency physician. It is the intent of CRUSADE to improve patient care in the ED by tracking and encouraging compliance with evidence-based guidelines for the evaluation and management of NSTE ACS.