Acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation. Current guidelines

Coronary-artery disease is the leading cause of death in western countries. Unstable angina and myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation are now recognized as among the most frequent and important clinical manifestations of coronary-artery disease. The European and American professional societies have released guidelines on diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment of these disorders. These guidelines summarise current evidences and translate them in clinical practice. Most important changes relate to the inclusion of troponins into the risk stratification algorithm. In addition, some guidelines released by scientific committees of the laboratory area further define the quality specifications for cardiac troponin assays. Powerful tests, such as cardiac troponins, on which critical decisions will rest need highly reliable methods, quality control and external quality assurance schemes.