ABSTRACT
An acute coronary syndrome occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, exposing the lipid-rich core to the bloodstream. Echo can help in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain, which includes not just acute coronary syndromes but also conditions such as aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism. Coronary revascularization has an important role in patients with troublesome symptoms or a high risk of coronary events. Myocardial infarctions are subgrouped and managed according to the accompanying electrocardiogram changes: the presence of ST segment elevation defines an ST elevation myocardial infarction in which urgent restoration of coronary blood flow, with primary Percutaneous coronary intervention or thrombolysis, is required. The presence of a pericardial effusion after myocardial infarction does not, in itself, confirm a ventricular rupture, but should nonetheless raise a suspicion that a rupture may have occurred. Dressler’s syndrome is thought to be an autoimmune response, caused by the release of myocardial antigens, and is also seen in some patients after cardiac surgery.
