Twenty-six articles draw on recent results of clinical trials to explain guidelines for patients with ST- and non-ST- elevation myocardial ischemia (MI), as well as to explore the pathophysiology and diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Subjects include information on thrombolytic therapy, risk stratification, antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents, a comparison of invasive versus conservative strategies, and primary angioplasty. A final section deals with special issues such as ACS and women, MI in younger patients, cardiogenic shock, cholesterol lowering, cost-effectiveness analysis in treatment, and secondary prevention of MI. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.