Abstract
Unstable angina (UA) and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQWMI) are acute coronary syndromes with repeated, severe ischemic events of short duration. These events are mainly due to a rapid decrease in coronary blood flow, and to a rapid, reversible reduction of the arterial lumen in localized areas. Episodes often are a mixture of thrombus formation due to platelet aggregation and localized spasm, leading to vasoconstriction. Due to the short interval (minutes) of ischemic events, usually no or minimal irreversible myocardial damage takes place. The main goal of treatment is to prevent progression of this unstable situation into a myocardial infarction. In the majority of cases, this is possible with adequate treatment of vasodilatory substances like nitrates, long-acting dihydropyridines like amlodipine and betablockers. In addition heparin and particular antiaggregatory drugs inhibiting platelet activation by blocking the GPIIb/IIIa receptor, the common pathway for platelet aggregation, are applied to prevent thrombus formation. This, in the majority of cases allows a passivation of the acute situation, leaving time to undertake possible further steps as coronary angiography, eventually followed by PTCA of the culprit lesion or, in advanced cases of CAD, by CABG with complete revascularization.
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