MSD
ACS Guidelines

Treat Early—Immediate Benefit

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines support early use of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor such as AGGRASTAT® in combination with heparin and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).1,2

ESC and ACC/AHA Acute Coronary Syndromes Guidelines

ECG = electrocardiogram; LMWH = low molecular weight heparin; UFH = unfractionated heparin; GP = glycoprotein; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; CABG = coronary artery bypass graft
* Omit clopidogrel if the patient is likely to undergo CABG within 5 days
** Depending upon clinical and angiographic features
Adapted from Bertrand et al;1 Braunwald et al.2
Identification of High-Risk Patients with ACS

Risk of Thrombosis (acute risk)

 

Underlying Coronary Artery Disease (long-term risk)

  • Clinical markers
    • Age
    • History of prior MI, CABG
    • Diabetes, heart failure, hypertension
  • Biologic markers
  • Angiographic markers
    • Ejection fraction
    • Extent of coronary artery disease

MI = myocardial infarction; CRP = C-reactive protein; IL = interleukin
Adapted from Bertrand et al.1
See High-Risk Patients section for additional information on these patient populations.

  • Early identification and treatment of high-risk patients with AGGRASTAT reduced the risk of death or MI3,4
  • Early initiation of AGGRASTAT reduced the overall event rate3,4
  • AGGRASTAT was well tolerated when given in combination with UFH or LMWH5
Acute Coronary Syndromes
ACS is characterized by prolonged (>20 minutes) or repetitive symptoms of cardiac ischemia occurring at rest or with minimal exertion, associated with either ischemic ST-T wave changes on ECG or elevated cardiac enzymes. The definition includes “unstable angina” and “non–Q‑wave MI” but excludes MI associated with Q waves or nontransient ST‑segment elevation.1,2
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AGGRASTAT is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA