The pace at which acute coronary syndrome guidelines are updated make it challenging for clinicians to remain current with the recommendations that lead to improved outcomes for this substantial patient population. The purpose of this course is to reduce the widening gap between care according to guidelines and actual care delivered by providing healthcare professionals with knowledge necessary to implement the most appropriate approach to diagnosis and treatment. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the prevalence and definition of coronary heart disease (CHD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
2. Explain the pathophysiology of ACS, including the role of plaque formation and rupture.
3. Devise a strategy for screening and evaluation of asymptomatic individuals for ACS.
4. Describe the various clinical presentations of ACS and the differential diagnosis of chest pain, including considerations for non-English-proficient patients.
5. More effectively utilize ECG and cardiac biomarkers in the diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI).
6. Discuss the factors involved in risk stratification of individuals with suspected ACS.
7. Assess the consistency of your and your team's adherence to guidelines for the acute treatment of UA/NSTEMI.
8. Select the optimal anti-ischemic, antiplatelet, and anticoagulant agents for the treatment of UA/NSTEMI.
9. Distinguish between the clinical indications for an ischemia-guided or invasive strategy for patients with UA/NSTEMI.
10. Discuss the issue of timing in selecting reperfusion therapy for patients with STEMI.
11. Describe the role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI.
12. Identify contraindications and cautions for fibrinolysis in the treatment of STEMI.
13. List other reperfusion therapies used in the treatment of STEMI, and identify the appropriate therapy for individual patients.
14. Outline appropriate secondary prevention measures for patients with ACS.
15. Discuss the relationship between guideline adherence in practice and patient outcomes

This 15-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.