What is the general approach to management of NSTE-ACS?
The general approach to management of NSTE-ACS involves clinical, pathological, electrocardiographic, and biomarker correlates. Management at each stage of atherogenesis from 1) normal artery to 2) extracellular lipid in the subintima to 3) fibrofatty stage to 4) procoagulant expression and weakening of the fibrous cap is also a factor. Flow reduction may be related to a completely occlusive thrombus (bottom half, right side) or subtotally occlusive thrombus (bottom half, left side). Most patients with ST-elevation (thick white arrow in bottom panel) develop QwMI, and a few (thin white arrow) develop NQMI. Those without ST-elevation have either UA or NSTEMI (thick red arrows).