Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

The medical management of acute coronary syndrome aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.

Initial interventions include continuous cardiac monitoring in an ICU, with oxygen supplementation for patients with respiratory distress or low oxygen saturation levels.

Pharmacologically, aspirin prevents platelet aggregation, nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries to improve blood flow, and morphine may be used to reduce pain and anxiety if nitroglycerin is ineffective.

Beta-blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand, while ACE inhibitors help prevent myocardial remodeling.

Anticoagulants, such as low-molecular-weight heparin administered subcutaneously or unfractionated heparin administered intravenously, prevent further clot formation.

For STEMI, immediate percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, is performed to open the blocked artery and restore reperfusion.

Post-discharge statins are prescribed for cholesterol management.

Cardiac rehabilitation encompasses patient education, lifestyle and dietary modifications, smoking cessation, and psychosocial support.