What is Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)?

ACS is a spectrum of conditions involving acute myocardial ischemia or infarction caused by an abrupt reduction in coronary blood flow.

The trigger is atherogenic plaque rupture. Prothrombotic substances spill out, platelets activate and aggregate, and a thrombus forms that partially or totally occludes the artery. This chapter focuses on type 1 MI (coronary thrombosis). Optimal inhibition of thrombosis is the whole game.