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Unstable angina non ST elevation myocardial infarction

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.; Smita Kohli, M.D.; Neil Gheewala, M.D. [3]; Bryan Piccirillo, B.S., M.D.

Synonyms and keywords: Angina at rest; rest angina; progressive angina; crescendo angina; accelerating angina; new-onset angina; pre-infarction angina; unstable angina pectoris; UAP; UA; new-onset angina; angina – unstable

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Maheep Singh Sangha, M.B.B.S.; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Neil Gheewala, M.D. [3]; Smita Kohli, M.D.


Overview

Unstable angina and Non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) belong to two different ends of the spectrum of acute coronary syndrome. Unstable angina is differentiated from NSTEMI by the absence of elevated cardiac biomarkers. The basic pathology in both the conditions involves a non-occlusive thrombus formation from a previously disrupted atherosclerotic plaque causing inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle.

The Spectrum of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is a term that encompasses:

While all three usually result from atherosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation in one of the main epicardial coronary arteries, with subsequent inadequate blood supply to meet the oxygen and metabolic demands of the myocardium. Other possible etiologies of this imbalance such as coronary artery narrowing alone, coronary spasm, or coronary dissection.

Unstable angina, NSTEMI and STEMI are distinguished pathophysiologically as to whether or not the thrombus is occlusive (as in the case of STEMI) or non-occlusive (as in the case of UA and NSTEMI).

Frequently, Unstable Angina and NSTEMI are indistinguishable on inital evaluation as these two conditions are at different spectrums of ischemia. If the ischemia is significant to cause myocardial damage, there will be an elevation of Cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB or troponin) and would be classified as an NSTEMI (see Biomarkers). Often, these may not be detected for up to 12 hours in the bloodstream, which emphasizes the need for thorough evaluation.[1][2]

Definition

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is defined as new onset angina pectoris (or chest pain which is ischemic in origin) with the following features: a) occurs at rest or with lesser degrees of exertion than stable angina, b) lasts less than 30minutes, c) follows a crescendo pattern (i.e., occurs more frequently than previous), and d) there no sign of myocardial necrosis unlike in STEMI or NSTEMI, and there is no release of biomarkers of myonecrosis (CK or troponin). [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] [11][1] [2][12][13] [14][15][16][17] [18][19][20][21][22] [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] [57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] [66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77] [78][79][80][81][82] [83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91] [92][93][94]

Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Non-ST Elevation MI (NSTEMI) presents with clinical features of UA along with the evidence of myocardial necrosis like elevated serum levels of cardiac biomarkers (i.e., creatine kinase (CK), MB isoenzyme of CK (CK-MB) and Troponins I and T). Troponins are fairly sensitive and specific for myocardial necrosis. For the diagnosis of NSTEMI to be made, the troponin elevation must occur in the context of ischemic chest pain, however the diagnosis should not be made based on laboratory findings alone, as there are other possible etiologies for elevated troponins.[1] [2]

Classification

Braunwald in 1989 proposed a classification for unstable angina based on severity and clinical circumstances. This classification was employed in various clinical trials and studies to determine its prognostic importance and clinical usefulness. In recent years with the more detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of unstable angina and the discovery of improved markers of myocardial injury, acute phase proteins and hemostatic markers, especially cardiac troponin I and troponin T, it was suggested to extend Class IIIB (angina at rest within the past 48 hrs) of the original classification, by subclassifying it into troponin negative and troponin positive patients.

Pathophysiology

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina occurs when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds myocardial oxygen supply at rest or with minimal exertion. This supply/demand mismatch can be caused by conditions that increase oxygen demand or reduce oxygen supply.[95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][1][2][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167][168][169][170][171][172][173][174][175][176][177][178][179][180][181][182][183][184][185][186]

Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

As alluded to in prior sections, unstable angina and NSTEMI are at different ends of the spectrum of the same disease. While there is no way to determine which patients presenting with unstable angina will ultimately progress to NSTEMI, the distinction between the two entities is clear. Often, for patients presenting prior to the four hour window before cardiac biomarkers are positive (namely CK-MB), the EKG in context of the patient’s chest pain will be marker for whether patient has STEMI versus UA/NSTEMI and needs to urgently undergo percutaneous revascularization.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Over 9 million patients in the United States alone have angina. An estimated 80,700,000 American adults (one in three) have one or more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD), of whom 38,200,000 are estimated to be age 60 or older. Except as noted, the estimates were extrapolated to the U.S. population in 2005 from NHANES 1999–2004.

Risk Stratification

There are several scoring systems which have been devised as methods of identifying high-risk patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These include, among others, the Braunwald classification system,[187] the Rizik classification system,[188] the TIMI risk score,[189][190] the GRACE risk score [191][192] and the PURSUIT risk score.[193][194][195][196][197] This evaluation is helpful in selecting the site of care and type of therapy. Physician should document their opinion of the likelihood of ACS in one of the three categories of low, intermediate or high likelihood. Patients with high risk score and/or hemodynamic instability should be managed in coronary care unit while those with intermediate to low risk score and hemodynamic stability can be managed in a step down unit. A continuous ECG monitoring (telemetry) should be used to monitor for arrythmias. Patients with UA have lower short term mortality than NSTEMI or STEMI. Early risk stratification is, therefore, recommended and is based on the initial history, physical exam, ECG, assessment of renal function and cardiac biomarkers.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Unstable angina / NSTEMI are signs of more severe heart disease. Natural history is complicated by the development of arrhythmias and heart failure. In a study it was shown that 14% of the cases of unstable angina can progress to MI. Sudden death is an infrequent sequel of both UA and NSTEMI.

Special Groups

Women

Although women are traditionally at lower risk for CAD as compared to men at all ages, UA/NSTEMI is still common amongst this group and importantly, women can manifest CAD somewhat differently than men. It is also important to keep in mind that women with CAD are, on average, older than men and are more likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure with preserved systolic function; to manifest angina rather than MI; and, to have atypical symptoms of angina and MI.

Diabetic Patients

75% of all deaths among diabetic patients are due to coronary artery disease. Diabetic patients with unstable angina or NSTEMI tend to have a more severe disease with worse outcomes. Long term morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients with no previous cardiovascular disease are the same as that of nondiabetic patients with established cardiovascular disease after hospitalization for unstable coronary artery disease.[198]

Post-CABG Patients

Post-CABG patients with unstable angina or NSTEMI are associated with a more severe coronary artery disease compared to the patients who have not undergone a bypass surgery. Medical treatment in this patient population should follow the same guidelines as for UA/NSTEMI in non–post CABG patients.

Elderly

Elderly patients represent a group of patients who have more comorbidities and who are both at risk for both CAD as well as for associated complications. However, they do derive equivalent or greater benefit from intervention when compared to younger patients. This group is likely to present with atypical symptoms like dyspnea and confusion rather than chest pain. On the other hand, presence of noncardiac comorbidities such as chronic obstructive lung disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, upper-body musculoskeletal symptoms, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia is also higher, thus making the diagnosis of UA/NSTEMI challenging. Secondly, they are more likely to have altered or abnormal cardiovascular anatomy, increased cardiac afterload due to decreased arterial compliance and arterial hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac hypertrophy, and ventricular dysfunction, especially diastolic dysfunction. Thirdly, elderly patients generally have other cardiac comorbidities and risk factors, such as hypertension, prior MI, HF, cardiac conduction abnormalities, prior CABG, peripheral and cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, and stroke. As a result, they are on mulitple medications and hence at risk for drug interactions and polypharmacy. When considering revascularization procedures, general medical and cognitive status, bleeding risk and other risk of interventions, anticipated life expectancy, and patient or family preferences must be considered.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) constitutes a risk factor for adverse outcomes after MI. It is a coronary artery disease equivalent as well as a risk factor for progression of CAD.

Drug and Substance Abusers

Cocaine and methamphetamine are common drugs associated with MI.

Prinzmetal’s Angina

Prinzmetal’s angina, also known as variant angina or angina inversa, is chest pain at rest that occurs in periodic cycles. It is unrelated to exertion although can occur with exertion. Prinzmetal’s angina is caused by vasospasm, a narrowing of the coronary arteries caused by contraction of the smooth muscle tissue in the vessel walls rather than fixed narrowings of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. Attacks can be precipitated by an emotional stress, hyperventilation, exercise, or exposure to cold. A circadian variation in the episodes of angina is most often present, with most attacks occurring in the early morning. It is characterized by transient ST-segment elevation that spontaneously resolves or resolves with NTG use without progression to MI. The majority of patients have normal exercise tolerance, and stress testing may be negative. Because the anginal discomfort usually occurs at rest without a precipitating cause, it may simulate UA/NSTEMI secondary to coronary atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular Syndrome X

Cardiovascular syndrome X refers to patients with angina or angina-like discomfort with exercise, ST-segment depression on exercise testing, and normal or nonobstructed coronary arteries on angiography. This entity should be differentiated from the metabolic syndrome X or metabolic syndrome, which describes patients with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and abdominal obesity. It also should be differentiated from noncardiac chest pain.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

A person with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) will have a history of angina that has increased in frequency or intensity at the same level of exertion. Anginal pain can manifest in many forms ranging from chest pain to chest pressure to shortness of breath to epigastric pain. UAP is part of the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and requires immediate assessment and management by a qualified physician. The history and symptoms described by a patient with unstable angina can be identical to the symptoms of either NSTEMI or STEMI, both of which carry a poorer prognosis.[199][200][201][202][203][204][205][206][207][1][2][208][209][210][211][212][213][214][215][216][217][218][219][220][221][222][223][224][225][226][227][228][229][230][231][232][233][234][235][236][237][238][239][240][241][242][243][244][245][246][247][248][249][250][251][252][253][254][255][256][257][258][259][260][261][262][263][264][265][266][267][268][269][270][271][272][273][274][275][276][277][278][279][280][281][282][283][284][285][286][287][288][289][290]

Unstable Angina

UA can have typical or atypical presentations. The 3 classic forms of presentation are: a) Rest angina (angina commencing when the patient is at rest); b) New onset (less than 2 months) severe angina (at least CCS class II); or c) Increasing angina-previously diagnosed angina that has become distinctly more frequent, longer in duration, or lower in threshold (i.e., increased by 1 or more CCS class to at least CCS class III severity).

Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

NSTEMI generally presents as prolonged, more intense rest angina or angina equivalent. Patients with suspected ACS must be evaluated rapidly. Evaluation should not be done over the phone but in person and in a place where a 12 lead ECG can be obtained. A focused history, examination, ECG and cardiac biomarkers are helpful to determine where the patient will be managed and whether the patient needs to be transferred or referred to a different hospital/setting. Physical examination should focus on identifying the precipitating factors, comorbid conditions, rule out alternative diagnosis and assess hemodynamic status of the patient.

Physical Examination

Patients with suspected ACS must be evaluated rapidly. The objectives of the initial evaluation are first to identify signs of immediate life-threatening instability and then to ensure that the patient is moved rapidly to the most appropriate setting for the level of care needed based on diagnostic criteria and an estimation of the need for intervention. It is recommended that patients with a suspected ACS with chest discomfort or other ischemic symptoms at rest for more than 20 min, hemodynamic instability, or recent syncope or presyncope to be referred immediately to an ED or a specialized chest pain unit.[291]

Laboratory Findings

Blood Studies

Laboratory findings for the diagnosis of unstable angina and NSTEMI include some baseline tests like complete blood count, electrolytes, serum creatinine and measurement of acute-phase proteins.

Biomarkers

Cardiac markers are biomarkers that are measured to evaluate heart function. Their levels increase in blood when the heart muscle is necrosed, as in MI. Clinically the most commonly used cardiac markers include troponins and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). Other markers are lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, myoglobin, ischemia modified albumin, pro-brain natriuretic peptide and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme. Cardiac biomarker measurement is one of the initial tests in a patient with heart attack. Unstable angina is associated with negative cardiac biomarkers whereas NSTEMI is associated with elevated cardiac biomarkers.

Electrocardiogram

The EKG in patients with unstable angina can be variable. In some cases, no changes on EKG will be appreciated. In other cases, a resting EKG may show flipped or inverted T waves, ST segment depression, or non-specific ST-T changes. It is the first line of assessment in any patient suspected of having unstable angina.

Chest X-Ray

When suspecting UA/NSTEMI a chest X-ray is critical to aid in the exclusion of aortic dissection. A mediastinal mass consistent with a cancer may be present, but it is unlikely to present with a syndrome of accelerating chest pain. It is also used to evaluate other causes of chest pain or discomfort like pulmonary infection, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension etc.

Echocardiogram

Left ventricular function and wall motion abnormalities can be assessed promptly using an echocardiogram. It can also be used to exclude other possible causes of like aortic stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Valvular or mechanical complications from MI warrant an immediate transesophageal echocardiography.

Coronary Angiography

One other image modality that can be used in diagnosing and treating UA/NSTEMI is CT coronary angiography. This is a superior imaging technique with a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 95% respectively.[292][293] Depending on the patient’s symptoms and degree of suspicion for ACS, early coronary angiography can be performed to make a definitive diagnosis. If there is no evidence of either calcified or noncalcified plaque on coronary angiogram, then it is highly unlikely that the patient’s symptoms are due to UA/NSTEMI.

Treatment

Primary Prevention

Major risk factors for development of coronary heart disease have been established from several long term epidemiological studies.[294] [295] Various clinical trials have demonstrated that development of coronary diseases can be prevented or the risk of experiencing UA/NSTEMI in patients who have coronary heart disease can be lowered by modifying the main risk factors.[296][297][298]

Immediate Management

Initial management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) begins with differentiating between the spectrum of ACS which includes STEMI, unstable angina and Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Because the symptoms for all these can be similar, a medical evaluation is necessary as mentioned in other sections (see Pre-hospital Care and Initial Therapy). Information from the history, physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and initial cardiac biomarker tests can help in differentiating between the above three categories as well as categorize the patient into probable or definite ACS, chronic stable angina or non-cardiac cause of chest pain. Patients with STEMI must be evaluated for immediate reperfusion therapy (see Reperfusion Therapy (Overview of Fibrinolysis and Primary PCI)). Patients with unstable angina/NSTEMI, recurrent symptoms suggestive of ACS and/or electrocardiogram ST-segment deviations, or positive cardiac biomarkers who are hemodynamically stable should be admitted to an inpatient unit for bed rest with continuous rhythm monitoring and careful observation for recurrent ischemia and managed with either an invasive or conservative strategy (see initial conservative versus initial invasive strategies). Immediate management is directed towards relief of chest pain. Nitrates, ASA and morphine are recommended to control the symptoms from possible ACS. Beta blockers, thienopyridines (like clopidogrel and prasugrel) should be administered in the absence of contraindication to their use. Based on the suspicion for likelihood of ACS, anticoagulants and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors can be started early in the course of presentation. Two strategies in the treatment are early invasive or conservative strategies. Most trials have shown benefit of early invasive therapy with cardiac catheterization and revascularisation procedures. Early invasive therapy is now recommended for patients with UA/NSTEMI and ST segment changes at presentation and/or positive troponins during first 24hrs of presentation.

Antithrombin Therapy

Anticoagulation, traditionally with unfractionated heparin (UFH), is a cornerstone of therapy for patients with unstable angina/NSTEMI. Some of the agents available in this category include unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, direct thrombin Inhibitors (e.g.,bivalirudin) factor Xa Inhibitors (e.g.,fondaparinux), and warfarin. These agents are also sometimes referred to as antithrombins, although, it should be noted that they often inhibit one or more proteins in the coagulation cascade before thrombin.

Antiplatelet Agents

Aspirin

Antiplatelet therapy plays a major role in the management of unstable angina/NSTEMI. This class of medication is directed towards one of the following three pathways: decreasing thromboxane A2 formation (aspirin), inhibiting the P2Y12 component of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor pathway (thienopyridines), direct inhibitors of platelet aggregation (GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors).

Thienopyridines

Thienopyridines are a class of drugs that inhibit ADP receptor/P2Y 12 and function as antiplatelet agents.

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (Gp IIb/IIIa) is an integrin complex present on the surface of the platelets. This complex aids in platelet aggregation during the clotting process by acting as a receptor for fibrinogen. Gp IIb/IIIa inhibitors are a class of antiplatelet agents that prevent platelet aggregation and thrombus formation by inhibiting the integrin complex.

Mechanical Reperfusion

Initial Conservative Versus Initial Invasive Strategies

Two approaches to the use of cardiac catheterization and revascularization in UA/NSTEMI include an initial invasive strategy, involving routine early cardiac catheterization and revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary bypass grafting (CABG) and a second more conservative approach with initial medical management with catheterization and revascularization only for recurrent ischemia either at rest or on a noninvasive stress test. The objective of this is to provide a strategy that has the most potential to yield the best clinical outcome and improve long-term prognosis.

PCI

Coronary angiography is useful for defining the coronary artery anatomy in patients with UA/NSTEMI and for identifying subsets of high-risk patients who can benefit from early revascularization. The benefits of early invasive strategy have been discussed in previous section (see Initial Conservative Versus Initial Invasive Strategies). Coronary revascularization with either PCI or CABG helps improve prognosis, relieve symptoms, prevent ischemic complications, and improve functional capacity. In recent years, increased utilization of PCI has been noticed mainly secondary to technical advancements and as a result of this, less complications associated with the procedure.

CABG

For patients with UA/NSTEMI, when revascularization is required, the choice is between PCI and CABG. In general, the indications for PCI and CABG in UA/NSTEMI are similar to those for stable angina. Based on the results of multiple randomized trials, CABG is recommended for patients with disease of the left main coronary artery and multivessel disease and impaired left ventricular function. However, recent advance in techniques and less complications with PCI have led to use of PCI for isolated left main disease.

Complications of Bleeding and Transfusion

Advancements in the efficacy and increased utilization of synergistic anti-platelet agents, anticoagulant therapies, and invasive risk stratification in high-risk patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has led to a 40% decrease in mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD) over the preceding 20 years.[1][2] The advanced management of NSTEMI minimizes ischemic events; however the paradigm is that it also increases the risk of bleeding and necessitation for blood transfusion.[299][300][1][2] Recent analyses and randomized controlled trials demonstrate an independent association between bleeding complications, blood transfusions, and poor outcomes among NSTEMI patients.[301][302][1][2] Clinical trials of antithrombotic therapies associated with decreased bleeding complications have demonstrated improvements in short-term and long-term survival.

Discharge Care

Medical Regimen

In most cases, the inpatient anti-ischemic medical regimen used in the nonintensive phase should be continued after discharge, and the antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications should be changed to an outpatient/oral regimen. The selection of a medical regimen should be individualized to the specific needs of each patient based on the in-hospital findings and events, the risk factors for CAD, drug tolerability, and recent procedural interventions.

Post-Discharge Follow-Up

Patients with UA/NSTEMI, specially those with high risk factors during hospital stay, have high mortality which can be as high as 14 fold compared to those with absence of risk factors.

Long-Term Medical Therapy and Secondary Prevention

Similar to patients with STEMI, patients with UA/NSTEMI also require secondary prevention at the time of discharge. Patients and their families should be educated regarding the specific targets for LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and other appropriate lifestyle modifications.

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  278. Crea F: Variant angina in patients without obstructive coronary atherosclerosis: a benign form of spasm. Eur Heart J 1996; 17:980-982. PMID 8809510
  279. Hirano Y, Ueharfa H, Nakamura H, et al: Diagnosis of vasospastic angina: Comparison of hyperventilation and cold-pressor stress echocardiography, and coronary angiography with intracoronary injection of acetylcholine. Int J Cardiol 2007; 116:331-337. PMID 16890307
  280. Nakao K, Ohgushi M, Yoshimura M, et al: Hyperventilation as a specific test for diagnosis of coronary artery spasm. Am J Cardiol 1997; 80:545-549. PMID 9294979
  281. Antman E, Muller J, Goldberg S, et al: Nifedepine therapy for coronary artery spasm. Experience in 127 patients. N Engl J Med 1980; 302:1269-1273. PMID 6767986
  282. De Cesare N, Cozzi S, Apostolo A, et al: Facilitation of coronary spasm by propranolol in Prinzmetal’s angina: Fact or unproven extrapolation?. Coron Artery Dis 1994; 5:323-330. PMID 8044344
  283. Tzivoni D, Keren A, Benhorin J, et al: Prazosin therapy for refractory variant angina.Am Heart J 1983; 105:262-266. PMID 6823808
  284. Kaski JC: Management of vasospastic angina—role of nicorandil. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 9 Suppl 1995; 2:221-227. PMID 7647026
  285. Kawano H, Motoyama T, Hirai N, et al: Estradiol supplementation suppresses hyperventilation-induced attacks in postmenopausal women with variant angina. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001; 37:735-740. PMID 11693745
  286. Tanabe Y, Itoh E, Suzuki K, et al: Limited role of coronary angioplasty and stenting in coronary spastic angina with organic stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2002; 39:1120-1126. PMID 11923034
  287. Meisel SR, Mazur A, Chetboun I, et al: Usefulness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in refractory variant angina pectoris complicated by ventricular fibrillation in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. Am J Cardiol 2002; 89:1114-1116. PMID 11988204
  288. Bory M, Pierron F, Panagides D, et al: Coronary artery spasm in patients with normal or near normal coronary arteries. Long-term follow-up of 277 patients. Eur Heart J 1996; 17:1015-1021. PMID 8809518
  289. Shimokawa H, Nagasawa K, Irie T, et al: Clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of patients with variant angina. A comparative study between western and Japanese populations. Int J Cardiol 1998; 18:331-349. PMID 3129375
  290. Tashiro H, Shimokawa H, Koyanagi S, Takeshita A: Clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous remission of variant angina. Jpn Circ J 1993; 57:117-122. PMID 8450595
  291. Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM; et al. (2007). “ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) developed in collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine”. JACC. 50 (7): e1–e157. PMID 17692738. Text “doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.02.013 ” ignored (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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  297. Wilson K, Gibson N, Willan A, Cook D (2000). “Effect of smoking cessation on mortality after myocardial infarction: meta-analysis of cohort studies”. Archives of Internal Medicine. 160 (7): 939–44. PMID 10761958. Retrieved 2011-04-12. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  298. Smith SC, Blair SN, Bonow RO, Brass LM, Cerqueira MD, Dracup K, Fuster V, Gotto A, Grundy SM, Miller NH, Jacobs A, Jones D, Krauss RM, Mosca L, Ockene I, Pasternak RC, Pearson T, Pfeffer MA, Starke RD, Taubert KA (2001). “AHA/ACC Scientific Statement: AHA/ACC guidelines for preventing heart attack and death in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: 2001 update: A statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology”. Circulation. 104 (13): 1577–9. PMID 11571256. Retrieved 2011-04-12. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  299. Boersma E, Harrington RA, Moliterno DJ, White H, Théroux P, Van de Werf F, de Torbal A, Armstrong PW, Wallentin LC, Wilcox RG, Simes J, Califf RM, Topol EJ, Simoons ML. Platelet glycoproteinIIb/IIIa inhibitors in acute coronary syndromes: a meta-analysis of all major randomised clinical trials. Lancet. 2002;359:189-98
  300. James S, Armstrong P, Califf R, Husted S, Kontny F, Niemminen M, Pfisterer M, Simoons ML, Wallentin L. Safety and efficacy of abciximab combined with dalteparin in treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2002;23:1538–45.
  301. Rao SV, O’Grady K, Pieper KS, Granger CB, Newby LK, Mahaffey KW, Moliterno DJ, Lincoff AM, Armstrong PW, Van de Werf F, Califf RM, Harrington RA. A comparison of the clinical impact of bleeding measured by two different classifications among patients with acute coronary syndromes. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;47:809–16.
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Classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Dr. Eugene Braunwald in 1989 proposed a classification system for unstable angina based on severity and clinical circumstances. This classification system was employed in various clinical trials and studies to determine its prognostic importance and clinical usefulness. In the recent years with more detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of unstable angina and the discovery of improved markers of myocardial injury, acute phase proteins and hemostatic markers, especially cardiac troponin I and troponin T, it was suggested to extend Class IIIB (angina at rest within the past 48 hrs) of the original classification, by subclassifying it into troponin negative and troponin positive patients.

Classification

Braunwald Clinical Classification of Unstable Angina[1]


Severity Clinical Circumstances
A (Secondary Angina) B (Primary Angina) C (Postinfarction Angina)
Class I – New onset of severe angina or accelerated angina; no rest pain IA IB IC
Class II – Angina at rest within past month but not within preceding 48hours (angina at rest, subacute) IIA IIB IIC
Class III – Angina at rest within 48hours (angina at rest, subacute) IIIA IIIB-TPos IIIB-TNeg IIIC


Secondary Angina: Unstable angina secondary to a clearly identified condition extrinsic to the coronary vascular bed that has intensified myocardial ischemia.

Primary Angina: Unstable angina pectoris in the absence of an extracardiac condition that has intensified ischemia.

Postinfarction Angina: Unstable angina within the first 2 weeks after a documented acute myocardial infarction.

Correlation of Coronary Anatomy and Classification

  • Various studies have shown a correlation between the clinical classes and coronary anatomy.[2][3]
  • Servi et al. reported that Class IB patients (new onset or worsening angina without resting pain) had calcified lesions more frequently than did patients with Classes IIB and IIIB.
  • Classes IIB and IIIB were associated with thrombus and intraplaque hemorrhage on coronary angiography.
  • The study showed an association of histological features, such as high cellularity, thrombus, and abundant neovessels, with higher classes of unstable angina.

References

  1. Hamm CW, Braunwald E (2000). “A classification of unstable angina revisited”. Circulation. 102 (1): 118–22. PMID 10880424. Retrieved 2011-04-08. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. Owa M, Origasa H, Saito M (1997). “Predictive validity of the Braunwald classification of unstable angina for angiographic findings, short-term prognoses, and treatment selection”. Angiology. 48 (8): 663–71. PMID 9269135. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. Calton R, Satija T, Dhanoa J, Jaison TM, David T (1998). “Correlation of Braunwald’s clinical classification of unstable angina pectoris with angiographic extent of disease, lesion morphology and intra-luminal thrombus”. Indian Heart J. 50 (3): 300–6. PMID 9753852.

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Pathophysiology

Unstable Angina | Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Differentiating Unstable Angina/Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction from other Disorders


Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2] Amresh Kumar MD [3]

An expert algorithm to assist in the diagnosis of Chest pain can be found here.

To go back to the main page on Unstable angina, click here.

Overview

There are several life-threatening causes of chest pain which need to be evaluated for first, which include; myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, esophageal rupture, pulmonary embolism, and tension pneumothorax. The other possible causes of chest pain can be determined by carefully assessing the nature of the pain, and obtaining a thorough patient history.

2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[1]

Recommendation for Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain With Suspected Noncardiac Causes

Class I
1. Patients with acute chest pain should be evaluated for noncardiac causes if they have persistent or recurring symptoms despite a negative stress

test or anatomic cardiac evaluation, or a low-risk designation by a CDP. (Level of Evidence: C-EO)”

Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain

5 Life Threatening Diseases to Exclude Immediately

The frequency of conditions exclusive of acute myocardial infarction in a decreasing order is:[10]

Differential Diagnosis of Non-Cardiac Chest pain
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal
Chest wall
Psychological
Other
The above table adopted from 2021 AHA/ACC/ASE Guideline[11]

Differentiating the Life-Threatening and Ischemic Causes of Chest Pain from other Disorders

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain and cough, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain and fever, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain and dyspnea, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain and weight loss, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, cough, and fever, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, cough, and dyspnea, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, cough, and weight loss, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, fever, and dyspnea, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, fever, and weight loss, click here.

To review the differential diagnosis of chest pain, dyspnea, and weight loss, click here.


The following table outlines the major differential diagnoses of chest pain:[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]

Abbreviations: ABG (arterial blood gas); ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme); BMI (body mass index); CBC (complete blood count); CSF (cerebrospinal fluid); CXR (chest X-ray); ECG (electrocardiogram); FEF (forced expiratory flow rate); FEV1 (forced expiratory volume); FVC (forced vital capacity); JVD (jugular vein distention); MCV (mean corpuscular volume); Plt (platelet); RV (residual volume); SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone); TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone); Vt (tidal volume); WBC (white blood cell); Coronary CT angiography (CCTA); multidetector row scanners (MDCT); Cardiovascular magnetic resonance — CMRI; Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI); single-photon emission CT (SPECT); Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning; Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, Computed tomographic (CT) angiography, and Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE); right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), right atrial enlargement (RAE), functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR), Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP; adenosine deaminase (ADA); Serum amyloid A (SAA), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R); High-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning

Differentials on the Basis of Etiology Disease Clinical Manifestations Diagnosis
Symptoms Risk Factors Physical Exam Lab Findings EKG Imaging Gold Standard
Onset Duration Quality of Pain Cough Fever Dyspnea Weight Loss Associated Features
Stable Angina[48] Sudden (acute) 2-10 minutes +/-
  • Exercise EKG: ST-segment depression
COVID-19-associated myocardial infarction[49] Sudden (acute) Commonly > 20 minutes
  • Retrosternal or left sided chest pain
  • Same as stable angina but often more severe
+/- +/- +/-
  • ST elevation MI (STEMI)
  • Non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) or Non Q wave
  • Exercise Stress Testing: Decreased myocardial perfusion
  • Transthoracic echocardiography:
    • Localized wall motion abnormalities
    • Diffuse hypokinesia
    • Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower than 50% in about 61% of the individuals
Unstable Angina[50][51][52] Acute 10-20 minutes
  • Same as stable angina but often more severe
+
Myocardial Infarction[12][13][14][15] Acute Commonly > 20 minutes +
  • ST elevation MI (STEMI)
  • Non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) or Non Q wave
  • CCTA combined with MPI
Cardiac Vasospastic/ Prinzmetal/ Variant Angina[53][54] Gradual in onset and offset Episodic, gradual in onset and offset
  • Chest discomfort described as squeezing, tightness, pressure, constriction, strangling, burning, heart burn, fullness in the chest, a band-like sensation, knot in the center of the chest, lump in the throat, ache, and heavy weight on chest
+
  • Multiple drugs (ephedrine-based products, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, butane, sumatriptan, and amphetamines)
  • Food-born botulism
  • Guide wire or balloon dilatation while doing PCI
  • Magnesium deficiency
  • Urine drug screen may be positive for cocaine or other drugs
  • Transient (less than 15 minutes) ischemic ST changes in multiple leads
  • A tall and broad R wave,
  • Disappearance of the S wave
  • A taller T wave
  • Negative U waves
Aortic Dissection[55][56] Sudden severe progressive pain (common) or chronic (rare) Variable
  • Tearing, ripping sensation, knife like
+
  • Nonspecific ST and T wave changes
Pericarditis[57][58][59] Acute or subacute May last for hours to days + + +
Pericardial Tamponade[60][61] Acute or subacute May last for hours to days +/- + + EKG findings:
Myocarditis[62][63][64] Acute or subacute Variable +/- + +
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy[65][66][67] Acute or subacute Variable Typical or atypical chest pain + Non-specific

Echocardiography:

Genetic testing for HCM
Stress (takotsubo)

Cardiomyopathy[68][69][70][71]

Acute Commonly > 20 minutes +
  • Setting of physical or emotional stress or critical illness
Stress
Aortic Stenosis[72][73][74] Acute, recurrent episodes of angina 2-10 minutes +
Heart Failure[75][76][77] Subacute or chronic Variable
  • Dull
  • Left sided chest pain
+ +/- + + Dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, family history of premature disease, and diabetes
Differentials on the Basis of Etiology Disease Clinical Manifestations Diagnosis
Symptoms Risk Factors Physical Exam Lab Findings EKG Imaging Gold Standard
Onset Duration Quality of Pain Cough Fever Dyspnea Weight Loss Associated Features
Pulmonary Pulmonary Embolism[78][79] Acute May last minutes to hours + +/- +  Hormone replacement therapy

Cancer Oral contraceptive pills Stroke  Pregnancy Postpartum  Prior history of VTE Thrombophilia 

Spontaneous Pneumothorax[80][81] Acute May last minutes to hours +
  • Rightward shift in the mean electrical axis
  • Loss of precordial R waves
  • Diminution of the QRS voltage
  • Precordial T wave inversions
  • CXR: White visceral pleural line on the chest radiograph
  • CT: small amounts of intrapleural gas, atypical collections of pleural gas, and loculated pneumothoraces
  • CT scan
Tension Pneumothorax[82][83] Acute May last minutes to hours +
  • Trauma
  • Significant elevation of the ST-T segment from leads V1 to V4
Pneumonia[84][85][86] Acute or chronic Variable
  • Dull
  • Localized to side of lesion
+ + + +/-
  • Long hospital stay
  • Ill contact exposure
  • Aspiration
Tracheitis/ Bronchitis[87][88][89][90] Acute Variable + + +
  • Peaked P-wave
Pleuritis Acute or subacute or chronic May last minutes to hours + + +
  • EKG done to rule out other causes in differential diagnoses
Pulmonary Hypertension[91][92][93] Acute or subacute or chronic Variable + +
Pleural Effusion[94][95][96] Acute or subacute or chronic Variable + +/- + +/-
  • Typically not indicated
Asthma & COPD[97][98][99][100] Acute or subacute or chronic Variable
  • Tightness
+ +/- + +/-
Pulmonary Malignancy[101][102][103][104] Chronic Variable
  • Dull aching
+ +/- + +
  • EKG may be performed before cancer treatment to identify any pre-existing conditions, or during treatment to check for possible heart damage
Sarcoidosis[105][106][107][108] Chronic Days to week
  • Chest fullness
+ + +
  • Diminished respiratory sounds
Acute chest syndrome (Sickle cell anemia)[109][110][111] Acute May last minutes to hours
  • Chest tightness
+ +/- +
  • EKG typically not indicated
Differentials on the Basis of Etiology Disease Clinical Manifestations Diagnosis
Symptoms Risk Factors Physical Exam Lab Findings EKG Imaging Gold Standard
Onset Duration Quality of Pain Cough Fever Dyspnea Weight Loss Associated Features
Gastrointestinal GERD, Peptic Ulcer[112][113][114] Acute +/- +/-
  • Not any auscultatory findings associated with this disease
  • Enamel erosion or other dental manifestations
Diffuse Esophageal Spasm[115][116][117][118] Acute
  • Minutes to hours
  • 5 to 60 minutes
+ +/- +/-
  • Barium swallow: Multiple areas of spasm throughout the length of the esophagus
  • Impedance testing: Higher amplitudes and better transit of swallowed boluses
  • No ECG findings associated with DES, but ECG is done to exclude variant angina due to higher concurrent association of variant angina with DES 
  • Esophageal manometry : ≥20 percent premature contractions (distal latency <4.5 seconds)
Esophagitis[119][120][121] Acute Variable + + +/-
  • No auscultatory finding
Eosinophilic Esophagitis[122][123][124][125][126][127] Chronic Variable +
  • No auscultatory finding in the this disease
  • Typically no finding on EKG
Esophageal Perforation[17] Acute Minutes to hours
  • Burning
  • Upper abdominal
+/- +
    • Confirmed by water-soluble contrast esophagram
Mediastinitis[128][129][130][131] Acute, Chronic Variable
  • Retrosternal irritation
+/- + +
  • Nonspecific
  • Infection
  • Esophageal perforation
  • Post operative complication
  • Positive organisms in sternal culture
  • Leukocytosis
  • Positive blood cultures
  • Diffuse ST elevation
  • CT: Localize the infection and extent of spread
  • MRI: Assesses vascular involvement and complications
CT scan
 Cholelithiasis[132][133][134][135] Acute, subacute Minutes to hours +/-
  • The presence of a common bile duct stone on transabdominal ultrasound

•Clinical acute cholangitis •A serum bilirubin greater than 4 mg/dL (68 micromol/L)

  • Murphy sign negative
  • Jaundice
  • ↑ALT
  • ↑AST
  • Amylase levels
  • ↑ALP
  • Typically not indicated
  • Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS): shows gallstones
  • EUS: Detects biliary sludge
  • MRCP: Detects stones >6mm
  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Diagnostic and therapeutic removal of stones
  • Endoscopic ultrasound and MECP
Pancreatitis[136][137][138][139][140] Acute, Chronic Variable + + +/-
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Smoking
  • Genetic predisposition
  •  Tachypnea
  • Hypoxemia
  • Hypotension
  • Cullen’s sign
  • Grey Turner sign 
  • T-wave inversion
  • ST-segment depression
  •  ST-segment elevation rarely
  • Q-waves
  • CT: focal or diffuse enlargement of the pancreas
  • MRI: Pancreatic enlargement
  • CT Scan
Sliding Hiatal Hernia[141][142][143] Acute Variable + +
  • Trauma
  • Iatrogenic
  • Congenital malformation
  • Bowel sounds may be heard in the chest
  • Non specific
  • T wave inversion in anterior lead.
  • Barium swallow: At least three rugal folds traversing the diaphragm 
  • Upper endoscopy: A greater than 2-cm separation between the squamocolumnar junction and the diaphragmatic impression
  • High resolution manometry: The separation of the crural diaphragm from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) by a pressure trough
  • Upper endoscopy
  • High resolution manometry (for smaller hernias)
Musculoskeletal Costosternal syndromes (costochondritis)[144][145][146][147] Acute, subacute Days to weeks
  • Pressure like on anterior part of chest wall
+
  • History of repeated minor trauma or unaccustomed activity (eg, painting, moving furniture) 
  • Trauma
  • Pain by palpation of tender areas
  • Maneuvers, such as the “crowing rooster” and horizontal arm flexion maneuver
  • Non specific
  • EKG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes
  • CXR: To rule out fracture
  • Pain by palpation of tender areas
Lower rib pain syndromes[148] Chronic Variable
  • Aching
  • Lower chest
  • Upper abdomen
+
  • Common in women with a mean age in the mid-40s
  • Hooking maneuver
  • Reproduces pain by pressing a tender spot on the costal margin
  • Non specific
  • The workup is done for excluding cardiac disorders and other causes of chest pain
  • EKG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes
  • CXR: To rule out fracture
Sternalis syndrome Chronic Variable Pressure like pain
  • Over the body of sternum
  • Sternalis muscle
  • Left or middle side of the chest wall
  • Localized tenderness is found directly over the body of the sternum or overlying sternalis muscle
  • No specific diagnostic test for this disease
  • The workup is done for excluding cardiac disorders and other causes of chest pain
  • EKG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes
  • X-ray : To rule out fracture
  • Physical exam
Tietze’s syndrome[149] Acute Weeks Pressure like pain over
  • Most often involve the areas of 2nd and 3rd ribs
  • More common in young adults
  • Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Excessive coughing
  • No specific diagnostic test for this disease
  • The workup is done for excluding cardiac disorders and other causes of chest pain
  • EKG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes
  • X-ray: To rule out fracture
  • Tests are done to rule out other diseases
Xiphoidalgia[150] Acute Variable Pressure like pain over
  • Over the xiphoid process
  • Sternum
  • Xiphisternal joint
  • Symptoms are aggravated by twisting and bending movements
  • Cough
  • Heavy work
  • Provocative test
  • No specific diagnostic test for this disease
  • The workup is done for excluding cardiac disorders and other causes of chest pain
  • EKG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes
  • X-ray: To rule out fracture
  • Tests are done to rule out other diseases
Spontaneous sternoclavicular subluxation[151] Acute, Chronic Variable Aching pain over Sternoclavicular joint
  • More common in middle age women
  • Occurs in dominant hands with repetitive tasks of heavy or moderate quality
  • Trauma
  • No specific diagnostic test for this disease
  • The workup is done for excluding cardiac disorders and other causes of chest pain
  • EKG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes
  • X-ray: Sclerosis of the medial clavicle 
  • X-ray
Differentials on the Basis of Etiology Disease Clinical Manifestations Diagnosis
Symptoms Risk Factors Physical Exam Lab Findings EKG Imaging Gold Standard
Onset Duration Quality of Pain Cough Fever Dyspnea Weight loss Associated Features
Rheumatic Fibromyalgia[152][153][154] Chronic Variable +
  • Presence of tenderness in soft-tissue anatomic locations
  • Non specific
  • Normal Blood and urine test (mandatory to rule out other diseases)
  • P-wave dispersions (Pd)
Rheumatoid arthritis[155] Chronic Years Symmetrical joint pain in
  • Wrist
  • Fingers
  • Knees
  • Feet
  • Ankles
+ +
  • Old age
  • Smoking
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Positive Rheumatic Factor
  • Anti-CCP body 
  • Synovial fluid analysis: WBC between 1500 and 25,000/cubicmm, low glucose, low C3 and C4 complement level.
  • Thrombocytosis
  • Anemia
  • Mild leukocytosis
  • ECG is done rule out the heart failure as RA is one of the causes of heart failure
  • Plain film radiography: periarticular osteopenia, joint space narrowing, and bone erosions
  • MRI: Bone erosions
  • Ultrasonography: Degree of inflammation and the volume of inflamed tissue
Ankylosing spondylitis[156][157][158][159] Chronic Years Intermittent pain in
  • Patients with HLA-27 variant
  • Extra-articular joint involvements
  • Restrictive pulmonary disease
  • Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), strokes, venous thromboembolism, conduction abnormalities
  • Genetics (Monozygotic twins)
  • ↑ESR
  • ↑CRP
  • ↑ALP
  • ↑IgA
  • Antigen HLA-27 positive
  • Negative Rheumatic Factor
  • ECG is done to rule out conductions defects and aortic insufficiency
  • Plain radiography: Erosions, ankylosis, changes in joint width, or sclerosis.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Osteitis” or “bone marrow edema” (BME)
  • Plain films of the sacroiliac joints
Psoriatic arthritis[158] Chronic Years Asymmetrical intermittent pain in
  • Psoriasis
  • HLA-B*27 positive
Non specific
  • Longer PR interval 
  • X-ray: “pencil-in-cup” deformity, erosive changes and new bone formation, lysis of the terminal phalanges; fluffy periostitis
  • MRI: Detects articular, periarticular, and soft-tissue inflammation, enthesitis
  • X-ray
Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis (SAPHO syndrome)[158][160][161][162][163] Chronic Years Recurrent and multifocal pain in

Sternoclavicular joint

+

Positive family history of:

  • Spondyloarthritis
  • IBD
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Other autoimmune/autoinflammatory disease
  • Hyperostosis
  • Osteitis
  • Synovitis
  • Pustular eruptions
  • Inflammatory nodules or plaques
  • Serologic testing to exclude other diseases
  • Non specific
  • ECG is done to rule out conductions defects and aortic insufficiency
  • Plain radiography: Hyperostotic changes (thickening of periosteum, cortex, and endosteum), sclerotic lesions, osteolysis, periosteal reaction, and osteoproliferation
  • Bone scan: “bull’s head” change
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: Osteitis and soft tissue involvement
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT: Differentiates active versus inactive lesions 
  • Bone scan
Systemic lupus erythematosus[164] [165][166] Chronic Years
  • Skin
  • Joints (fingers, wrist, knees)
  • Kidneys
  • SLE can affect any organ of the body
+/- + + +
  • HLA-genetic mutations
  • Female gender
  • Being younger than 50 
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Positive family history
  • Related to specific organ involvent
  • Anti-dsDNA antibody test
Relapsing polychondritis[167] Chronic Years Intermittent pain in: + + + +
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Negative rheumatoid factor
  • Anti-type II collagen antibodies
  • Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
  • ECG is done to rule out the cardiovascular complications of this disease
  • Non specific
  • Related to specific organ involvent
  • No gold standard test for this disease
Psychiatric Panic attack/ Disorder[168][18][169] Acute or subacute or chronic Variable Variable + +
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Anxious
  • Tachypneic
  • Thyroid function tests
  • Complete blood count
  • Chemistry panel
  • Sinus Tachycardia
  • No any specific radiographic test is done

Others

Substance abuse

(Cocaine)[170][171][172]

Acute (hours) Minutes to hours Pressure like pain in the center of chest + + + +
  • Psychiatric disorders
    • QT prolongation
    • Sinus Tachycardia
    • Arrhythmias
    • Cardiac conduction abnormalities
  • Gold standard test depends on the type of substance is abuse
Herpes Zoster[173][174][175] Acute or Chronic Variable Burning pain on
  • Chest
  • Upper back
  • Lower back
+
  • Immunosuppression
  • Viral culture
  • Direct immunofluorescence testing,
  • Polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR)
  • ECG is done to rule out other cardiovascular causes of chest pain
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To rule out encephalitis
  • Viral tissue culture

References

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Epidemiology and Demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Over 9 million patients in the United States alone have angina. An estimated 80,700,000 American adults (one in three) have one or more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD), of whom 38,200,000 are estimated to be of age 60 or older. Except as noted, the estimates were extrapolated to the U.S. population in 2005 from NHANES 1999–2004. The current population of the United States is approximately 315,202,000.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Total CVD includes diseases in the bullet points below except for congenital heart disease. (Due to overlap, it is not possible to add these conditions to arrive at a total).[1][2][3]

  • Heart failure: 5,300,000
  • Stroke: 5,800,000
  • Congenital heart disease: 650,000 – 1,300,000
  • In 2005, there were 5,812,000 visits to emergency departments in the United States (US) for the evaluation of chest pain and related symptoms.[4]
  • In 2007, approximately 700,000 people in the US will have a new myocardial infarction (MI) and about 500,000 will have a recurrent MI.[5]
  • In 2007, more than 175,000 people in the US will have a silent MI.[5]
  • In 2004, there were 1,565,000 hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) [896,000 for MI, 669,000 for unstable angina (UA) – 21,000 received both diagnoses on discharge].[5]
  • Men have a lower average age of first MI than women (65.8 vs. 70.4).[5]
  • From 1987 to 2001, the annual age-adjusted rates per 1000 population in the US of first MI were 4.2 for African American men, 3.9 for Caucasian men, 2.8 for African American women and 1.7 for Caucasian women, and for new or recurrent MIs in American Indians, the rates were 7.6 for men and 4.9 for women.[5]
  • There is a 15% rate of death or reinfarction after receiving a diagnosis of UA/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).[6]

The Following Prevalence Estimates are for People Age 18 and Older from NCHS/NHIS, 2005[7]

References

  1. 2008 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics
  2. Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, Bridges CR, Califf RM, Casey DE Jr, Chavey WE II, Fesmire FM, Hochman JS, Levin TN, Lincoff AM, Peterson ED, Theroux P, Wenger NK, Wright RS. ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). Circulation 2007 116: e148 – e304. PMID 17679616
  3. Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, Bridges CR, Califf RM, Casey DE Jr, Chavey WE II, Fesmire FM, Hochman JS, Levin TN, Lincoff AM, Peterson ED, Theroux P, Wenger NK, Wright RS. Correction of ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Mar 4; 51(9): 974. PMID 17692738
  4. McCaig LF, Nawar EW. National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2004 emergency department summary. Adv Data. 2006 Jun 23;(372):1-29. PMID 16841785
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Rosamond W, Flegal K, Friday G, Furie K, Go A, Greenlund K, Haase N, Ho M, Howard V, Kissela B, Kittner S, Lloyd-Jones D, McDermott M, Meigs J, Moy C, Nichol G, O’Donnell CJ, Roger V, Rumsfeld J, Sorlie P, Steinberger J, Thom T, Wasserthiel-Smoller S, Hong Y; American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics–2007 update: a report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation. 2007 Feb 6;115(5):e69-171. Epub 2006 Dec 28. PMID 17194875
  6. Braunwald E, Antman EM, Beasley JW, Califf RM, Cheitlin MD, Hochman JS, Jones RH, Kereiakes D, Kupersmith J, Levin TN, Pepine CJ, Schaeffer JW, Smith EE 3rd, Steward DE, Theroux P, Alpert JS, Eagle KA, Faxon DP, Fuster V, Gardner TJ, Gregoratos G, Russell RO, Smith SC Jr; ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina) J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000 Sep;36(3):970-1062. PMID 10987629
  7. Vital Health Stat 10.2006 [232]: 1–153

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Risk Stratification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

To go to the chapter on PCI, click here.

Overview

There are several scoring systems which have been devised as methods of identifying high-risk patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These include, among others, the Braunwald classification system, the Rizik classification system, the TIMI risk score, the GRACE risk score, and the PURSUIT risk score.

Risk Stratification

  • There are several scoring systems which have been devised as methods of identifying high-risk patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These include, among others, the Braunwald classification system,[1] the Rizik classification system,[2] the TIMI risk score,[3][4] the GRACE risk score[5][6] and the PURSUIT risk score.[7][8][9][10][11]
  • In direct comparisons, the GRACE risk score is superior to TIMI risk score in assessing both prognosis and the severity of coronary artery disease in NSTEMI patients.[12][13]
    • Regarding predicting the severity of CAD, a cross-sectional study published in 2018 used coronary angiogram to assess the severity of coronary artery disease using the vessel score & Gensini scores and correlated these scores with the GRACE and TIMI scores. The area under the ROC curve for the GRACE score (0.943; 95% CI = 0.893 – 0,993) was significantly superior to the area under the ROC curve for the TIMI score (0.892; 95% CI = 0.853 – 0.937)[13].
    • Regarding 30 day mortality, a 2016 study correlated 30 day mortality in NSTEMI patients with the NT-proBNP biomarker, TIMI score, and GRACE scores. A total of 1324 patients were included in the study, which found both NT-proBNP (0.85) and the GRACE score (0.87) independently predicted mortality at 30 days, while the TIMI score (0.60) did not[12].

TIMI Risk Score

The TIMI Risk Score for UA/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is based on the TIMI 11B and ESSENCE trials and has been shown to be predictive of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and severe recurrent myocardial ischemia prompting urgent revascularization for the first 14 days after presentation. It has also been validated as a tool for 30-day risk stratification of patients presenting to the emergency room with chest pain.[4] It is very likely the most commonly used tool for risk-stratification as it is the easiest to understand and use of those listed.

The TIMI risk score is determined by the sum of the presence of 7 variables at admission; 1 point is given for each of the following variables:[14]

In TIMI risk scoring, prior coronary stenosis of 50% or more remained relatively insensitive to missing information and remained a significant predictor of events.[15][16]

Incidence of adverse events (all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and severe recurrent myocardial ischemia prompting urgent revascularization for the first 14 days after presentation):

  • TIMI Risk Score 0/1: 4.7%
  • TIMI Risk Score 2: 8.3%
  • TIMI Risk Score 3: 13.2%
  • TIMI Risk Score 4: 19.9%
  • TIMI Risk Score 5: 26.2%
  • TIMI Risk Score 6/7: 40.9%

Braunwald Classification

The Braunwald Classification of unstable angina pectoris (UAP) stratifies patients according to both the type of anginal pain and the underlying cause of the pain. Increasing class is associated with increasing risk of both recurrent ischemia and death at 6 months.

Characteristics

  • Class I: Exertional angina (new onset, severe, or accelerated; angina of less than 2 months duration; more frequent angina; angina precipitated by less exertion; no rest angina in the last 2 months)
  • Class II: Rest angina, subacute (rest angina within the last month but none within 48 hours of presentation)
  • Class III: Rest angina, acute (rest angina within 48 hours of presentation)

Clinical Circumstances

  • Class A: Secondary unstable angina (caused by a noncardiac condition such as anemia, infection, thyrotoxicosis or hypoxemia)
  • Class B: Primary unstable angina
  • Class C: Post-infarction unstable angina (within 2 weeks of documented myocardial infarction)

Rizik Classification Scheme

The Rizik classification scheme of UAP has been shown to be predictive of in-hospital adverse cardiac events and as such could be used to make decisions regarding hospitalization and intensity of treatment.[2]

  • Class IA: Acceleration of previously existent chronic stable angina without new EKG changes
  • Class IB: Acceleration of previously existent chronic stable angina with new EKG changes
  • Class II: Exertional angina of new onset without respect to EKG morphology
  • Class III: New onset resting angina (either with or without history of prior stable angina)
  • Class IV: Patients with protracted chest pain of > 20 minutes with EKG changes

The PURSUIT Risk Score

The PURSUIT Risk score has been shown to be predictive of the 30-day incidence of death and the composite of death or myocardial (re)infarction in patients presenting with UA/NSTEMI (patients with ACS but without ST-elevation myocardial infarction). Points are given for each of the 7 below risk factors. The points are then summed to provide a risk score which can then be converted to a probability of either death or a composite of death or MI (from 0% to 50% depending on total points). [7]

  • Age (increased probability for age above 60 and above)
  • Gender (increased probability for men, no increased probability for women)
  • Worst Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification for angina pectoris in the previous 6 weeks (from angina only during very strenuous activity (Class I) to angina at rest (Class IV), increased probability for Class III or IV)
  • Heart rate (increased probability for heart rate 100 and above)
  • Systolic blood pressure (increased probability for systolic blood pressure 100 and below)
  • Signs of heart failure (i.e., rales)
  • ST-segment depression on presenting EKG

GRACE Risk Models

The GRACE model has been shown to be predictive of in-hospital mortality for patients presenting with ACS. The 8 risk factors listed below were shown to be the most strongly predictive. A probability of in-hospital death can be assigned by adding up the points allocated for each risk factor (range from <0.2% for less than 61 points to > 51% for more than 249 points). This model was validated as a tool to predict 6-month mortality in patients who survived hospital admission for ACS as well.[17]

Risk Stratification Approach

The following table demonstrates the approach in a post ACS (unstable angina) patient based on 2007 ACC/AHA guidelines.[18]

High Risk Early invasive therapy
Intermediate Risk Exercise ECG or Stress Imaging (after 2 – 3 days)
Low Risk Exercise ECG or Stress Imaging (symptom free interval of 8 – 12 hours)

2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes (DO NOT EDIT) [19]

Clinical Assessment and Initial Evaluation

Class I
1. Patients with suspected ACS should be risk stratified based on the likelihood of ACS and adverse outcome(s) to decide on the need for hospitalization and assist in the selection of treatment options. (Level of Evidence: B)

Emergency Department or Outpatient Facility Presentation

Class I
1. Patients with suspected ACS and high-risk features such as continuing chest pain, severe dyspnea, syncope/presyncope, or palpitations should be referred immediately to the emergency department (ED) and transported by emergency medical services when available. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIb
1. Patients with less severe symptoms may be considered for referral to the ED, a chest pain unit, or a facility capable of performing adequate evaluation depending on clinical circumstances. (Level of Evidence: C)


Early Risk Stratification

Class I
1. In patients with chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of ACS, a 12-lead ECG should be performed and evaluated for ischemic changes within 10 minutes of the patient’s arrival at an emergency facility. (Level of Evidence: C)
2. If the initial ECG is not diagnostic but the patient remains symptomatic and there is a high clinical suspicion for ACS, serial ECGs (e.g., 15- to 30-minute intervals during the first hour) should be performed to detect ischemic changes. (Level of Evidence: C)
3. Serial cardiac troponin I or T levels (when a contemporary assay is used) should be obtained at presentation and 3 to 6 hours after symptom onset in all patients who present with symptoms consistent with ACS to identify a rising and/or falling pattern of values. (Level of Evidence: A)
4. Additional troponin levels should be obtained beyond 6 hours after symptom onset in patients with normal troponin levels on serial examination when changes on ECG and/or clinical presentation confer an intermediate or high index of suspicion for ACS. (Level of Evidence: A)
5. Risk scores should be used to assess prognosis in patients with NSTE-ACS. (Level of Evidence: A)
Class IIa
1. Risk-stratification models can be useful in management. (Level of Evidence: B)
2. It is reasonable to obtain supplemental electrocardiographic leads V7 to V9 in patients whose initial ECG is nondiagnostic and who are at intermediate/high risk of ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIb
1. Continuous monitoring with 12-lead ECG may be a reasonable alternative in patients whose initial ECG is nondiagnostic and who are at intermediate/high risk of ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)
2. Measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide may be considered to assess risk in patients with suspected ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)

2011 ACCF/AHA Focused Update Incorporated Into the ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non -ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (DO NOT EDIT)[18][20]

Early Risk Stratification (DO NOT EDIT)[18][20]

Class I
1. A rapid clinical determination of the likelihood risk of obstructive CAD (i.e., high, intermediate, or low) should be made in all patients with chest discomfort or other symptoms suggestive of an ACS and considered in patient management. (Level of Evidence: C)
2. Patients who present with chest discomfort or other ischemic symptoms should undergo early risk stratification for the risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., death or [re]MI) that focuses on history, including anginal symptoms, physical findings, ECG findings, and biomarkers of cardiac injury and results should be considered in patient management. (Level of Evidence: C)
3. A 12-lead ECG should be performed and shown to an experienced emergency physician as soon as possible after ED arrival, with a goal of within 10 min of ED arrival for all patients with chest discomfort (or anginal equivalent) or other symptoms suggestive of ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)
4. If the initial ECG is not diagnostic but the patient remains symptomatic and there is high clinical suspicion for ACS, serial ECGs, initially at 15- to 30-min intervals, should be performed to detect the potential for development of ST-segment elevation or depression. (Level of Evidence: B)
5. Cardiac biomarkers should be measured in all patients who present with chest discomfort consistent with ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)
6. A cardiac-specific troponin is the preferred marker, and if available, it should be measured in all patients who present with chest discomfort consistent with ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)
7. Patients with negative cardiac biomarkers within 6 h of the onset of symptoms consistent with ACS should have biomarkers remeasured in the time frame of 8 to 12 h after symptom onset. (The exact timing of serum marker measurement should take into account the uncertainties often present with the exact timing of onset of pain and the sensitivity, precision, and institutional norms of the assay being utilized as well as the release kinetics of the marker being measured.) (Level of Evidence: B)

8. The initial evaluation of the patient with suspected ACS should include the consideration of noncoronary causes for the development of unexplained symptoms. (Level of Evidence: C)

Class III
1. Total CK (without MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, SGOT), alanine transaminase, beta-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase, and/or lactate dehydrogenase should not be utilized as primary tests for the detection of myocardial injury in patients with chest discomfort suggestive of ACS. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa
1. Use of risk-stratification models, such as the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) or Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score or the Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable Angina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin Therapy (PURSUIT) risk model, can be useful to assist in decision making with regard to treatment options in patients with suspected ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)
2. It is reasonable to remeasure positive biomarkers at 6- to 8-h intervals 2 to 3 times or until levels have peaked, as an index of infarct size and dynamics of necrosis. (Level of Evidence: B)
3. It is reasonable to obtain supplemental ECG leads V7 through V9 in patients whose initial ECG is nondiagnostic to rule out MI due to left circumflex occlusion. (Level of Evidence: B)
4. Continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring is a reasonable alternative to serial 12-lead recordings in patients whose initial ECG is nondiagnostic. (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIb
1. For patients who present within 6 h of the onset of symptoms consistent with ACS, assessment of an early marker of cardiac injury (e.g., myoglobin) in conjunction with a late marker (e.g., troponin) may be considered. (Level of Evidence: B)
2. For patients who present within 6 h of symptoms suggestive of ACS, a 2-h delta CK-MB mass in conjunction with 2-h delta troponin may be considered. (Level of Evidence: B)
3. For patients who present within 6 h of symptoms suggestive of ACS, myoglobin in conjunction with CK-MB mass or troponin when measured at baseline and 90 min may be considered. (Level of Evidence: B)
4. Measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or NT-pro-BNP may be considered to supplement assessment of global risk in patients with suspected ACS. (Level of Evidence: B)

Risk Stratification Before Discharge (DO NOT EDIT)[18][20]

Class I
1. Noninvasive stress testing is recommended in low-risk patients who have been free of ischemia at rest or with low-level activity and of heart failure for a minimum of 12 to 24 h. (Level of Evidence: C)
2. Noninvasive stress testing is recommended in patients at intermediate risk who have been free of ischemia at rest or with low-level activity and of heart failure for a minimum of 12 to 24 h. (Level of Evidence: C)”
3. Choice of stress test is based on the resting ECG, ability to perform exercise, local expertise, and technologies available. Treadmill exercise is useful in patients able to exercise in whom the ECG is free of baseline ST segment abnormalities, bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, intraventricular conduction defect, paced rhythm, pre-excitation, and digoxin effect. (Level of Evidence: C)
4. An imaging modality should be added in patients with resting ST segment depression (≥0.10 mV), left ventricular hypertrophy, bundle branch block, intraventricular conduction defect, pre-excitation, or on digoxin treatment who are able to exercise. In patients undergoing a low level exercise test, an imaging modality can add sensitivity. (Level of Evidence: B)
5. Pharmacological stress testing with imaging is recommended when physical limitations (e.g., arthritis, amputation, severe peripheral vascular disease, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or general debility) preclude adequate exercise stress. (Level of Evidence: B)
6. Prompt angiography without noninvasive risk stratification should be performed for failure of stabilization with intensive medical treatment. (Level of Evidence: B)
7. A non invasive test (echocardiogram or radionuclide angiogram) is recommended to evaluate left ventricular function in patients with definite acute coronary syndromes who are not scheduled for coronary angiography and left ventriculography. (Level of Evidence: B)

References

  1. Lee, DS & Roe, MT (2004). Unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, In Griffin & Topol Eds, Manual of Cardiovascular Medicine, 2nd ed. Lippincott Williams & Williams: Philadelphia, PA, pp 27-44. ISBN 9780781759984
  2. 2.0 2.1 Rizik DG, Healy S, Margulis A, Vandam D, Bakalyar D, Timmis G, Grines C, O’Neill WW, Schreiber TL. A new clinical classification for hospital prognosis of unstable angina pectoris. Am J Cardiol. 1995 May 15;75(15):993-7. PMID 7747701
  3. Antman EM, Cohen M, Bernink PJ, et al. The TIMI risk score for unstable angina/non-ST elevation MI: a method for prognostication and therapeutic decision making. JAMA 2000; 284: 835–42. PMID 10938172
  4. 4.0 4.1 Pollack CV Jr, Sites FD, Shofer FS, Sease KL, Hollander JE. Application of the TIMI risk score for unstable angina and non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome to an unselected emergency department chest pain population. Acad Emerg Med. 2006 Jan;13(1):13-8. Epub 2005 Dec 19. PMID 16365321
  5. Granger CB, Goldberg RJ, Dabbous O, Pieper KS, Eagle KA, Cannon CP, Van De Werf F, Avezum A, Goodman SG, Flather MD, Fox KA; Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events Investigators. Predictors of hospital mortality in the global registry of acute coronary events. Arch Intern Med. 2003 Oct 27;163(19):2345-53. PMID 14581255
  6. Eagle KA, Lim MJ, Dabbous OH, Pieper KS, Goldberg RJ, Van de Werf F, Goodman SG, Granger CB, Steg PG, Gore JM, Budaj A, Avezum A, Flather MD, Fox KA; GRACE Investigators. Predictors of outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation. Results from an international trial of 9461 patients. The PURSUIT Investigators. JAMA. 2004 Jun 9;291(22):2727-33. PMID 15187054
  7. 7.0 7.1 Boersma E, Pieper KS, Steyerberg EW, Wilcox RG, Chang WC, Lee KL, Akkerhuis KM, Harrington RA, Deckers JW, Armstrong PW, Lincoff AM, Califf RM, Topol EJ, Simoons ML. Predictors of outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation. Results from an international trial of 9461 patients. The PURSUIT Investigators. Circulation. 2000 Jun 6;101(22):2557-67. PMID 10840005
  8. Lindahl B, Diderholm E, Lagerqvist B, et al: Mechanisms behind the prognostic value of troponin T in unstable coronary artery disease: A FRISC II substudy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001; 38:979-986.* Lenderink T, Boersma E, Heeschen C, et al: Elevated troponin T and C-reactive protein predict impaired outcome for 4 years in patients with refractory unstable angina, and troponin T predicts benefit of treatment with abciximab in combination with PTCA. Eur Heart J 2003; 24:77-85. PMID 11583868
  9. Heeschen C, Hamm CW, Bruemmer J, Simoons ML, for the Chimeric c7E3 AntiPlatelet Therapy in Unstable angina REfractory to standard treatment trial (CAPTURE) Investigators: Predictive value of C-reactive protein and troponin T in patients with unstable angina: A comparative analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2000; 35:1535-1542. PMID 10807457
  10. Gibson CM, Pinto DS, Murphy SA, et al: Association of creatinine and creatinine clearance on presentation in acute myocardial infarction with subsequent mortality. J Am Coll Cardiol 2003; 42:1535-1543. PMID 14607434
  11. The RISC Group: Risk of myocardial infarction and death during treatment with low-dose aspirin and intravenous heparin in men with unstable coronary artery disease. Lancet 1990; 336:827-830. PMID 1976875
  12. 12.0 12.1 Schellings DA, Adiyaman A, Dambrink JE, Gosselink AM, Kedhi E, Roolvink V; et al. (2016). “Predictive value of NT-proBNP for 30-day mortality in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes: a comparison with the GRACE and TIMI risk scores”. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 12: 471–476. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S117204. PMC 5123586. PMID 27920547.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Roy SS, Abu Azam STM, Khalequzzaman M, Ullah M, Arifur Rahman M (2018). “GRACE and TIMI risk scores in predicting the angiographic severity of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome”. Indian Heart J. 70 Suppl 3: S250–S253. doi:10.1016/j.ihj.2018.01.026. PMC 6309119. PMID 30595268.
  14. Antman EM, Cohen M, Bernink PJ, et al. The TIMI risk score for unstable angina/non-ST elevation MI: a method for prognostication and therapeutic decision making. JAMA 2000; 284: 835–42. PMID 10938172
  15. Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, Bridges CR, Califf RM, Casey DE Jr, Chavey WE II, Fesmire FM, Hochman JS, Levin TN, Lincoff AM, Peterson ED, Theroux P, Wenger NK, Wright RS. ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). Circulation 2007 116: e148 – e304. PMID 17679616
  16. Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, Bridges CR, Califf RM, Casey DE Jr, Chavey WE II, Fesmire FM, Hochman JS, Levin TN, Lincoff AM, Peterson ED, Theroux P, Wenger NK, Wright RS. Correction of ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Mar 4; 51(9): 974. PMID 17692738
  17. Eagle KA, Lim MJ, Dabbous OH, Pieper KS, Goldberg RJ, Van de Werf F, Goodman SG, Granger CB, Steg PG, Gore JM, Budaj A, Avezum A, Flather MD, Fox KA; GRACE Investigators. Predictors of outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation. Results from an international trial of 9461 patients. The PURSUIT Investigators. JAMA. 2004 Jun 9;291(22):2727-33. PMID 15187054
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM; et al. (2007). “ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) developed in collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine”. JACC. 50 (7): e1–e157. PMID 17692738. Text “doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.02.013 ” ignored (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  19. Ezra A. Amsterdam, MD, FACC; Nanette K. Wenger, MD et al.2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. JACC. September 2014 (ahead of print)
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Wright RS, Anderson JL, Adams CD, Bridges CR, Casey DE, Ettinger SM; et al. (2011). “2011 ACCF/AHA focused update incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons”. J Am Coll Cardiol. 57 (19): e215–367. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2011.02.011. PMID 21545940.

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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [3]

Overview

Unstable angina/NSTEMI are signs of severe heart disease. Natural history is complicated by the development of arrhythmias and heart failure. In a study it was shown that 14% of the cases of unstable angina can progress to an MI. Sudden death is an infrequent sequel of both unstable angina and NSTEMI.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

Complications

Unstable Angina

List of Factors Affecting the Development and Complications of NSTEMI (In Alphabetical Order)

Prognosis

Unstable Angina

Prognosis in NSTEMI

  • In case of NSTEMI treated non-invasively, elevated levels of high sensitivity troponin T, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) are independently associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
  • In contrast, among patients with NSTEMI treated invasively, elevated levels of only NT-proBNP and GDF-15 have been associated with an increased risk of subsequent myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death.[2]

Prediction Rules

References

  1. Morrow DA, de Lemos JA, Sabatine MS, Murphy SA, Demopoulos LA, DiBattiste PM; et al. (2003). “Evaluation of B-type natriuretic peptide for risk assessment in unstable angina/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: B-type natriuretic peptide and prognosis in TACTICS-TIMI 18”. J Am Coll Cardiol. 41 (8): 1264–72. PMID 12706919.
  2. Wallentin L, Lindholm D, Siegbahn A, Wernroth L, Becker RC, Cannon CP; et al. (2014). “Biomarkers in Relation to the Effects of Ticagrelor in Comparison With Clopidogrel in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Managed With or Without In-Hospital Revascularization: A Substudy From the Prospective Randomized Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) Trial”. Circulation. 129 (3): 293–303. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.004420. PMID 24170388.

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Special Groups

Special Groups

Women | Diabetic Patients | Post CABG Patients | Elderly | Chronic Kidney Disease | Substance Abusers | Prinzmetal’s Angina | Cardiovascular Syndrome X

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Blood Studies | Biomarkers | Electrocardiogram | Chest X Ray | Echocardiography | Coronary Angiography

Treatment

Primary Prevention

Immediate Management: Overview | Oxygen | Nitrates | Analgesics | Beta Blockers | Calcium Channel Blocker | Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Inhibitors

Antithrombin Therapy: Overview | Unfractionated Heparin | Low Molecular Weight Heparin | Direct Thrombin Inhibitors | Factor Xa Inhibitors | Long Term Anticoagulation

Antiplatelet Agents: Antiplatelet Therapy Recommendations | Aspirin | Thienopyridines | Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor | Additional Management Considerations

Mechanical Reperfusion: Initial Conservative Versus Initial Invasive Strategies | PCI | CABG

Complications of Bleeding and Transfusion: Overview | Incidence | Definitions | Predictors and Causes of Bleeding | Blood Transfusions | Prognosis | Prevention | Recommendations

Discharge Care: Medical Regimen | Post-Discharge Follow-Up | Cardiac Rehabilitation

Long-Term Medical Therapy and Secondary Prevention: Overview | Convalescent and Long-Term Antiplatelet Therapy | Beta Blockers | Inhibition Of The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System | Nitroglycerin Therapy | Calcium Channel Blockers | Warfarin Therapy | Lipid Management | Blood Pressure Control | Smoking Cessation | Weight Management | Physical Activity | Patient Education | Influenza | Depression | Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs | Hormone Therapy | Antioxidant Vitamins and Folic Acid | Quality Care and Outcomes

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Contraindicated medications

Unstable angina is considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the following medications:

Case Studies

Case Studies

Case #1

Related Chapters
External Links

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