Table 1.

 Summary of acute coronary syndrome guidelines applicable to British patients

ST elevation MI				Non-ST elevation MI/unstable angina
Treatment	BCS	ESC*	NSF†	Treatment	BCS‡	ESC§	NSF†
Initial	Aspirin, thrombolysis/ PCI	Aspirin, thrombolysis/PCI	Aspirin, thrombolysis	For low risk	Aspirin, LMWH, nitrates, β blockers	Aspirin, LMWH, nitrates, β blockers, clopidogrel	Aspirin, unfractionated heparin or LMWH, β blocker, nitrates
Subsequent	β Blocker	β Blocker, ACEI <24 hours	β Blocker, ACEI	For high risk	GP IIb/IIIa, angiogram (also intermediate risk)	GP IIb/IIIa, angiogram	Angiogram
On discharge	Aspirin, β blocker, statin	Aspirin (clopidogrel if aspirin contraindicated), β blocker, statin	Aspirin, β blocker, statin	On discharge	Aspirin, β blocker, statin	Aspirin, clopidogrel (for at least 9 months), β blocker, statin	Aspirin, β blocker, statin

*Published 2003; †published 2000; ‡published 2001; §published 2002.

ACEI, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; BCS, British Cardiac Society; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; GP, glycoprotein; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin; MI, myocardial infarction; NSF, National Service Framework; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention.