ST-segment elevation
Myocardial infarction is usually classified into non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The “ST” refers to a part of an electrocardiogram that can indicate ischemia.
The following is a cut and paste from something I wrote for other purposes (not edited or fact checked, so take it for what it’s worth:
Acute coronary syndromes are characterized by an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Inflammation and/or infection may weaken the structure of the fibrous cap that overlies the atherosclerotic plaque. Rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque exposes the lipid-rich, thrombogenic contents of the plaque to the blood, resulting in the initiation of a complex cascade of events the culminates in the formation of occlusive or non-occlusive thrombus. The platelet-rich thrombus can release a variety of vasoconstrictors, resulting in vasoconstriction at the site of plaque rupture and exacerbating the oxygen supply/demand imbalance.
Patients with ACS are categorized into those with persistent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which generally reflects acute total coronary occlusion, and those without persistent ST-segment elevation (non-ST-segment myocardial infarction; NSTEMI). Patients without ST-segment elevation may be further subcategorized into those with unstable angina or non-ST-segment myocardial infarction.
Patients with myocardial infarction are also categorized based on the presence or absence of myocardial necrosis, which is reflected in changes in QRS pattern (non-Q-wave myocardial infarction and Q-wave myocardial infarction).
Treatment options vary based on ACS categorization. Among patients with UA or NSTEMI, treatment options include anti-ischemic agents (beta-blockers, nitrates, potassium channel activators, and calcium channel blockers), anti-thrombin therapy (heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, and direct thrombin inhibitors), antiplatelet agents (aspirin, theinopyridines, glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors), fibrinolytic treatment, coronary revascularization, lipid-lowering therapy, and ACE inhibitors.
Among patients with STEMI, rapid restoration of coronary flow with fibrinolytic treatment and/or primary angioplasty is indicated.
If you have made it this far, can you guess what category of drug I'm introducing?
