Management of unstable angina based on considerations of aetiology

摘要

Unstable angina is not a specific disease but a clinical syndrome, more akin to hypertension than to streptococcal endocarditis. The classification of unstable angina has, until now, been based on simple clinical descriptors, such as whether the ischaemic pain is on exertion and accelerating, or whether it occurs at rest, and whether or not ischaemia persists despite vigorous anti-ischaemic treatment. The ECG, particularly the presence or absence of changes in the ST segment, has also been useful as a classification tool. In addition, markers of myocardial damage, such as the cardiac specific troponins T or I are being used increasingly in the classification of these patients.