cardiovascular disorders
Unstable Angina
Key Points
Unstable angina is new, worsening, or rest angina in patients whose cardiac markers do not meet criteria for myocardial infarction. Symptoms of unstable angina include new or worsening chest pain or chest pain occurring at rest. Diagnosis is based on serial ECGs and cardiac markers. Immediate treatment includes oxygen, antianginals, antiplatelet drugs, and anticoagulants. For patients with ongoing symptoms, hypotension, or sustained arrhythmias, do immediate angiography. For stable patients, do angiography within 24 to 48 hours of hospitalization. Following recovery, initiate or continue antiplatelet drugs, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins. 