The concepts of acute coronary care are changing so rapidly that it is appropriate that the volume ACUTE CORONARY CARE: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, published early in 1985, would have yearly updates. The process of rapid production of camera-ready manuscripts has added new capability to the exchange of information. ACUTE CORONARY CARE 1986 is the first of a series of yearly updates in this important area of cardiology. Materials published during the fall of 1984, including abstracts for the November American Heart Association meetings were reviewed by the editors to identify the areas of new...

During the 25 years since acute coronary care was focused into Coronary Care Units there have been three major Phases: I. prevention of death caused by arrhythmias; II. prevention of death due to myocardial failure; and III. limitation of infarct size. In the latter two Phases, there has been infringement upon the time honored concept of a prolonged period of rest for the patient in general and the heart in particular to minimize myocardial metabolic demands. During the second Phase of coronary care, patients with myocardial failure received aggressive measures to increase cardiac work via...

During the 25 years since acute coronary care was focused into Coronary Care Units there have been three major Phases: I. prevention of death caused by arrhythmias; II. prevention of death due to myocardial failure; and III. limitation of infarct size. In the latter two Phases, there has been infringement upon the time honored concept of a prolonged period of rest for the patient in general and the heart in particular to minimize myocardial metabolic demands. During the second Phase of coronary care, patients with myocardial failure received aggressive measures to increase cardiac work via...