Identifying and managing acute coronary syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term used to describe the acute myocardial ischaemic syndromes of unstable angina, non ST-elevation myocardial infarction and ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Despite diagnostic and therapeutic developments over the past decade the quality of care for many patients suffering from ACS remains suboptimal. This paper describes the pathophysiology, assessment and management of patients with ACS.