Acute Coronary Syndrome (Heart Attack) Unstable Angina vs NSTEMI vs STEMI With ECGs (copy)

Acute Coronary Syndrome

A spectrum of conditions caused by a thrombus in the coronary arteries due to atherosclerotic plaque rupture, including unstable angina, non ST elevation myocardial infarction, and ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply the heart, with the left coronary artery branching into the left anterior descending artery, left marginal artery, and circumflex artery, while the right coronary artery supplies the right atrium and ventricle.

Atherosclerotic Plaque

Fatty deposits on artery walls that can lead to narrowing of the vessel lumen over time, potentially causing ischemia if demand increases, as seen in stable angina.

Thrombogenic Substance

Material within a fibrous cap of an atherosclerotic plaque that, when exposed to blood due to plaque rupture, can lead to clot formation and sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart cells causing ischemia.

Left Circumflex Artery

A coronary artery that, when affected, can present more subtly in women and older patients, with an ECG showing specific changes like ST segment elevations or depressions depending on the condition.

Cardiac Troponin I

Protein released from cardiac myocytes upon cell death, used in lab investigations to diagnose acute coronary syndrome, with elevated levels indicating abnormality.

Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Procedure involving inserting a balloon and stent into a clogged coronary artery to restore blood flow, preferred for STEMI patients if done within 90 minutes of medical contact.

Mona

Pneumonic used to remember key aspects of acute coronary syndrome management, including Morphine, Oxygen, Nitrates, and Aspirin.

Fibrinolytic Therapy

Treatment involving tissue plasminogen activators to dissolve clots, used when primary percutaneous coronary intervention is not feasible in acute coronary syndrome cases.