6th March 2024

Pathophysiology

The term acute coronary syndrome includes a spectrum of conditions ranging from unstable angina, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Much like stable angina, the underlying cause of acute coronary syndrome is coronary artery disease caused by atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty plaques within the wall of the coronary arteries. Once a plaque has formed, it can cause a physical blockage inside the coronary artery, or the plaque can rupture and cause occlusion of a coronary artery (thrombosis). Partial occlusion of a coronary artery will affect the sub endocardium and may cause unstable angina or NSTEMI. Total occlusion of a coronary artery will cause transmural infarction leading to STEMI.