Advance in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Myocardial Infarction

Ischemic heart disease is one of the most important topics of emergency and critical care medicine. The diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) is confirmed when there are typical symptoms with suggestive electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, a rise of troponin, or imaging evidence of new regional wall motion abnormality. Early recognition of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and immediate treatment including medication and reperfusion is essential to the prognosis of the patients. The advance in treatment, either new medication like antiplatelet drug or technique of primary coronary intervention, improves the prognosis of patients with ACS and MI.

Nevertheless, there are still many challenges in this field. The interpretation of ECG change depends on physicians and could have different interpretation. Incorrect ECG reading may delay the diagnosis and treatment, especially in ST elevation MI (STEMI), and causes worse prognosis. Besides, the elevation of cardiac enzyme could occur in not only myocardial infraction but also other situations, so the diagnosis of MI could not depend on the rise of cardiac enzyme. Although medications like new antiplatelet and new anticoagulant drugs are developed and have better treatment effect, the complications of these drugs bring new challenges. Sustained research and continued education of ACS and MI are important and necessary.

The aim of this special issue is to collect new research of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of myocardial infarction from worldwide. Studies working on the diagnosis or exclusion of MI are useful for emergency physicians to decide disposition of patients with chest pain. Treatment with different medication and related complications are important to help physicians choose medication and decide the treatment plan. We expect this special issue could help readers to review and apply new diagnosis strategy and have different treatment options. We also aim to help physicians learn up-to-date knowledge and realize the direction of research of this field. Clinical research and review article on diagnosis, treatment, prognosis of myocardial infarction and ACS are welcomed. We are also interested in case reports or case series of MI/ACS with educational meanings. We hope this special issue can help health providers learn the most advanced knowledge and improve their treatment of myocardial infarction.