unstable angina

 

๐Ÿ”น Unstable Angina – Overview

Unstable angina is a clinical syndrome under the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), caused by reduced blood flow to the heart due to partial obstruction of a coronary artery. It is a medical emergency.


๐Ÿ”น Key Features

  • Chest pain/discomfort at rest or with minimal exertion.

  • New-onset angina (within the last 4–6 weeks, usually severe).

  • Increasing frequency, duration, or severity of pre-existing angina (crescendo angina).

  • Pain often lasts >20 minutes, not fully relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

  • May radiate to jaw, neck, left arm, or back.

  • Associated symptoms: sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations, anxiety.


๐Ÿ”น Pathophysiology

  • Rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque.

  • Platelet aggregation and non-occlusive thrombus formation.

  • Leads to intermittent myocardial ischemia without necrosis (troponin negative).


๐Ÿ”น Differentiation from Other ACS

  • Unstable Angina (UA): No rise in cardiac biomarkers (troponin normal).

  • NSTEMI: Biomarkers elevated (myocardial necrosis present).

  • STEMI: Biomarkers elevated + ST elevation on ECG.


๐Ÿ”น ECG Findings

  • Often normal or nonspecific.

  • May show ST depression or T-wave inversion during pain episodes.

  • No persistent ST elevation.


๐Ÿ”น Diagnosis

  • Clinical history + risk factors (HTN, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia).

  • ECG during pain and after.

  • Cardiac biomarkers: negative in UA.

  • Risk stratification scores (TIMI, GRACE).


๐Ÿ”น Management

Immediate Measures (MONA-B)

  • Morphine (if pain persists).

  • Oxygen (if SpO₂ < 90%).

  • Nitrates (sublingual / IV).

  • Aspirin (loading dose 300 mg).

  • Beta-blockers (unless contraindicated).

Antithrombotic Therapy

  • Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT): Aspirin + P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel/ticagrelor).

  • Anticoagulation: LMWH (enoxaparin), unfractionated heparin, or fondaparinux.

Additional

  • Statins (high-intensity).

  • ACE inhibitors/ARBs if LV dysfunction/diabetes/HTN.

  • Revascularization (PCI/CABG) if high-risk.


๐Ÿ”น Prognosis

  • UA carries a high risk of progression to MI if untreated.

  • Early diagnosis and aggressive management improve outcomes.

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