- All patients with ACS are candidates for antiplatelet and antithrombin therapies.
- STEMI are candidates for reperfusion therapy (fibrinolytic or catheter-based).
- NSTEMI are not candidates for fibrinolytic reperfusion agents but should receive catheter-based therapy when applicable.
- In treating ACS attention should also be paid to exacerbating factors such as fever, anemia, hypoxemia, hypertension, hypotension, and arrhythmias.
- If chest pain or hypotension remains refractory, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation should be considered.
- In general, patients with ACS should undergo diagnostic coronary arteriography to evaluate for left main disease, triple vessel disease, proximal LAD disease or lesions amenable to PCI.
- Cocaine-induced ACS should be treated with intravenous nitroglycerin and a calcium channel blocker (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil) and coronary arteriography should be considered. There is evidence that -adrenergic blockade can enhance cocaine-induced coronary artery vasoconstriction.
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Agent | Dosage | Indications | Comments |
MONA(Morphine, O2, NTG, ASA) | See below | All patients with ACS. | Bedrest, IV access, telemetry, obtain serial ECGs and cardiac enzymes |
Morphine sulfate | Initially 2 4 mg IV then increments of 2 8 mg IV q5 15 min prn pain | If pain not relieved with NTG then give until pain and anxiety relief is obtained or hypotension occurs | Reduces sympathetic tone; reduces preload; reduces myocardial O2 demand |
Oxygen | Initially 4 L/min by nasal cannula or 28% by venti-mask (adjust to maintain SaO2 >90%) | Maximize O2 delivery to ischemic myocardium | SaO2 should be maintained over 90% and preferably over 95% |
Nitrates (Contraindicated in patients on sildenafil or other PDE 5 inhibitors and patients with RV infarctions) |
Nitroglycerin | SL: 0.4 mg q5min 3 Spray: 1 2 metered sprays (0.4 mg NTG/spray) onto or under the tongue; may repeat in 3 5 min, 3 IV: 20 g/min then titrate to effect (pain relief and/or to lower BP 10% to 20% if not hypotensive) Topical: 1 2 inches of 2% ointment q6h or equivalent patches | Nitrate preparations for acute use; initial pain relief; coronary vasodilation; reduces preload (predominant) and afterload | Causes headache; may increase myocardial O2 demand by causing unintended tachycardia or hypotension; rapid tachyphylaxis |
Isosorbide dinitrate | 10 60 mg PO q4 6h | Useful for chronic management | Daily nitrate-free interval may ameliorate tachyphylaxis to antianginal effects |
Aspirin (ASA) | Immediate: 162 325 mg tablet (chewed or ground up) then 75 162 mg PO qd PCI: 75 325 mg prior to (300 325 mg at least 2 h and preferably 24 h before PCI if not on daily ASA) then 325 mg qd for at least 1 m if BMS, 3 m if sirolimus-eluting and 6 m if paclitaxel- eluting then 75 162 mg indefinitely | All patients with ACS without ASA allergy Effective for primary and secondary MI prevention | Irreversibly inhibits prostaglandin cyclo-oxygenase, preventing formation of platelet aggregating factor thromboxane A2 Immediate antiplatelet effect; reduces mortality |
Clopidogrel | ACS: Initially 300 mg PO then 75 mg PO qd PCI: 300 mg PO before PCI (preferably 6 h prior), then 75 mg PO qd for at least 1 m if BMS, 3 m if sirolimus-eluting and 6 m if paclitaxel-eluting and ideally up to 12 m if bleeding risk not high | As a substitute for ASA in individuals with true ASA allergy May be beneficial when added to daily ASA in NSTEMI (CURE trial) In addition to ASA for planned PCI | Inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation May be associated with increased risk of bleeding in patients undergoing CABG within 5 7 d of receiving clopidogrel |
Heparin (UFH) | If adjunct to fibrinolytic agents: 60 U/kg IV bolus (max 4,000 U) then 12 U/kg/h infusion (max 1,000 U/h) for at least 48 h (maintain aPTT 1.5 2.0 control) otherwise 60 70 U/kg IV bolus (max, 5,000 U) then 12 15 U/kg/h infusion (max 1,000 U/h) for at least 48 h (maintain aPTT 1.5 2.0 control) | For persistent or recurrent angina; for fibrin-specific lytics; for increased risk of systemic emboli (e.g., coexisting atrial fibrillation, LV thrombus, large or anterior MI) | Enhances the action of antithrombin III Should be avoided in cases of known HIT or whenever a pre-existing coagulopathy would increase risk over perceived benefit |
Bivalirudin | PCI: 0.75 mg/kg IV bolus immediately before the procedure then 1.75 mg/kg/h infusion for the duration of the procedure. Five min after bolus, an ACT should be done, and if needed an additional bolus of 0.3 mg/kg may be given. | As an alternative to UFH in patients with ACS undergoing PCI With provisional use of GPI IIb/IIIa (given for complications) as an alternative to UFH + GPI IIb/IIIa in patients undergoing PCI | Direct thrombin inhibitor (synthetic analogue of recombinant hirudin) Except in the setting of PCI there are limited data on efficacy and safety Use in conjunction with ASA (325 mg PO); safety and |
Bivalirudin (continued) | Continuation of the infusion for up to 4 h postprocedure is optional (after 4 h, an additional infusion may be continued at 0.2 mg/kg/h for up to 20 h) | (REPLACE-2 Trial) As a substitute for UFH with known HIT in patients undergoing PCI | efficacy have not been established when used in conjunction with platelet inhibitors other than ASA |
Enoxaparin (LMWH) | 30 mg IV bolus, then 1 mg/kg sq bid for 2 8 d (use with ASA 325 mg PO); avoid if age 75, serum Cr > 2 mg/dl in women or >2.5 mg/dl in men | Adjunctive therapy in ACS (age <75, and without clinically significant renal insufficiency) as an alternative to UFH | Direct thrombin inhibitor through complex with antithrombin III Avoid if pre-existing coagulopathy would increase risk over perceived benefit |
Fibrinolytic Agents(For contraindications refer to Table 3.2) |
- Only for STEMI, including true posterior MI, or presumed new left bundle branch block and <12 hours from onset (ideally 3 h from symptom onset; goal: door to drug <30 minutes).
- Consider PCI as an alternative based on local resources. In general PCI preferred if door to balloon <90 minutes, or cardiogenic shock present or late presentation (>3 hours) or contraindication to fibrinolysis. If 3 hours from symptom onset and PCI without delay then no preference for either strategy.
- Reteplase and alteplase are not known to be antigenic nor hypotensive-inducing. Tenecteplase has shown infrequent development of antibody titer at 30 days and reuse should be undertaken with precaution. It is also not hypotensive-inducing.
- Tenecteplase, reteplase, and alteplase should be used in conjunction with ASA 162 325 mg PO and heparin bolus of 60 U/kg (max 4,000 U) then 12 U/kg/h infusion (max 1,000 U/h) for at least 48 hours (maintain aPTT of 1.5 2.0 times control).
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Tenecteplase | IV bolus over 5 15 s <60 kg: 30 mg 60 69 kg: 35 mg 70 79 kg: 40 mg 80 89 kg: 45 mg 90 kg: 50 mg | Greater fibrin specificity then rtPA Give with ASA and heparin (see above) |
Reteplase | 10 U IV over 2 min, then repeat, 30 min later, 10 U IV over 2 min | Low fibrinolysis (relatively clot-selective) Give with ASA and heparin (see above) |
Alteplase (rtPA) | >67 kg: 15 mg IV bolus, then 50 mg over 30 min, then 35 mg over 60 min >67 kg: 15 mg IV bolus, then 0.75 mg/kg over 30 min, then 0.5 mg/kg over 60 min | Low fibrinolysis (relatively clot-selective) Give with ASA and heparin (see above) |
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors (GPI IIb/IIIa) - Platelet aggregation inhibitor; inhibits the integrin GP IIb/IIIa receptor in the platelet membrane; contraindications include active bleeding, bleeding diathesis (past 30 days), intracranial tumor, hemorrhage arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm, recent stroke or major surgery or trauma (past month), severe hypertension, aortic dissection, pericarditis, platelets <100,000.
- Major benefit in NSTEMI troponin positive group with signs of persistent or recurrent ischemia (used in addition to aspirin or heparin).
- Can be used as adjunctive therapy with PCI strategy.
- Eptifibatide and tirofiban preferred in patients with USA/NSTEMI managed medically and abciximab and eptifibatide preferred in patients with USA/NSTEMI undergoing PCI. For planned PCI start treatment prior to procedure as early as feasible.
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Abciximab | 0.25 mg/kg IV bolus (over 5 min) then 0.125 g/kg/min (max 10 g/min) infusion for 12 24 h | Consider for USA/NSTEMI undergoing PCI | A murine monoclonal antibody; readministration may result in hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia, or diminished benefit due to formation of human antichimeric antibodies |
Eptifibatide | 0.18 mg/kg IV bolus (max 22.6 mg) then 2 g/kg/min (max 15 mg/h) infusion up to 72 h | Consider for USA/NSTEMI undergoing PCI Adjunct to ASA and heparin in high risk USA/NSTEMI managed medically | If CrCl <50 mL/min or Cr >2 mg/dL, decrease infusion to 1 g/kg/min (maximum 7.5 mg/h), contraindicated in renal dialysis |
Tirofiban | 0.4 g/kg/min IV for 30 min then 0.1 g/kg/min for 12 48 h | Adjunct to ASA and heparin in high risk USA/NSTEMI managed medically | CrCl <30 mL/min, decrease dose by half (0.2 g/kg/min IV for 30 min, then 0.05 g/kg/min) |
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (Refer to Table 3.4) - Beneficial in setting of MI regardless of ejection fraction or presence of HF (oral route preferred).
- Avoid IV ACE-I within the first 24 hours of symptom onset due to risk of hypotension.
-Blocking Agents (Refer to Table 3.5) - Indicated as treatment in the setting of ACS.
Statins(Refer to Table 3.6) - For all patients with ACS without contraindication in first 24 hours. May reduce ACS associated inflammation, and increase nitric oxide level and thus may be useful irrespective of LDL-C level.
Antiarrhythmic Agents (Refer to Tables 3.9 and 3.10) - Do not give prophylactically and avoid Class IC agents.
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Magnesium sulfate | 1 2 g IV over 30 60 min, then 0.5 1 g IV q1 2 h for up to 24 h | Prophylactic use in ICU patients with ACS not recommended Some studies suggest reduction in mortality while others do not | Can cause conduction disturbances; mild hypotension; flaccidity; optimal dose unknown |
Treatment of Complications of ACS Please see the following tables: - Cardiogenic pulmonary edema and shock (Therapy; Table 3.3)
- Heart failure (Tables 3.3, 3.4, 3.5)
- Arrhythmia (antiarrhythmic agents Tables 3.9 and 3.10)
Secondary Prevention After Acute MI - ASA 75 162 mg PO qd indefinitely
- ACE inhibitor indefinitely (Table 3.4)
- -blocker indefinitely (Table 3.5)
- Statin indefinitely if LDL-C 100 mg/dl (Table 3.6)
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ACS, acute coronary syndromes; ADP, adenosine diphosphate; aPTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; ASA, aspirin; BMS, bare metal stent; BP, blood pressure; CABG, coronary artery bypass graft; CURE, clopidogrel in unstable angina to prevent recurrent events; ECG, electrocardiogram; GPI IIb/IIIa, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor; HF, heart failure; HIT, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; INR, international normalized ratio; IV, intravenous; LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin; LV, left ventricle; NSTEMI, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction; NTG, nitroglycerin; O2, oxygen; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; PDE, phosphodiesterase; PO, by mouth; REPLACE-2, Randomized Evaluation in PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events-2; RV, right ventricle; SaO2, arterial oxygen saturation; STEMI, ST segment elevation myocardial infarction; UFH, unfractionated heparin; USA, unstable angina |