ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation

Abstract

The management of acute myocardial infarction continues to undergo major changes. Good practice should be based on sound evidence, derived from well-conducted clinical trials.

Because of the great number of trials on new treatments performed in recent years, and in view of new diagnostic tests, the ESC decided that it was opportune to upgrade the previous guidelines and appointed a Task Force. It must be recognized that, even when excellent clinical trials have been undertaken, their results are open to interpretation and that treatment options may be limited by resources.

Indeed, cost-effectiveness is becoming an increasingly important issue when deciding upon therapeutic strategies.

Keywords

• Guidelines
• Acute myocardial infarction
• ST-segment elevation
• Acute coronary syndromes
• Ischaemic heart disease
• Reperfusion therapy
• Primary percutaneous coronary intervention
• Antithrombotic therapy
• Secondary prevention