Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Definitions - Stable Angina, Unstable Angina, NSTEMI, STEMI 1 STABLE ANGINA - Angina pain develops when there is increased demand in the setting of a stable atherosclerotic plaque. The vessel is unable to dilate enough to allow adequate blood flow to meet the myocardial 2 UNSTABLE ANGINA - The plaque ruptures and a thrombus forms around the ruptured plaque, causing partial occlusion of the vessel. Angina pain occurs at rest or progresses rapidly over a short period of time. 3 NSTEMI - During an NSTEMI, the plaque rupture and thrombus formation causes partial occlusion to the vessel that results in injury and infarct to the subendocardial myocardium. 4 STEMI - A STEMI is characterized by complete occlusion the blood vessel lumen, resulting in transmural injury and infarct to the myocardium, which is reflected by ECG changes and a rise in troponins. #Diagnosis #Cardiology #ACS #Unstable #Angina #NSTEMI #Definitions ** GrepMed Recommended Text: The Only EKG Book You'll Ever Need - https://amzn.to/2Z0uM1Y