Acute coronary syndrome

Myocardial infarction, which together with unstable angina comprise acute coronary syndrome (ACS), accounted for more than half of all deaths from coronary heart disease in Scotland in 2013/14.

Remit and target users

This guideline provides recommendations for the management of patients with ACS within the first 12 hours and up to hospital discharge. With the exception of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and P2Y12-receptor antagonists, this guideline does not make recommendations for: long-term treatment following discharge from hospital. It does not cover prehospital management or the management of undifferentiated chest pain or acute heart failure.

This guideline will be of interest to cardiologists, ambulance services, emergency medicine specialists, laboratory services, general practitioners and other healthcare professionals in primary care.

How this guideline was developed

This guideline was developed using a standard methodology based on a systematic review of the evidence. Further details can be found in SIGN 50: A Guideline Developer’s Handbook .

Keeping up to date

This guideline was first issued in 2016 and was deemed in need of update in 2019. Details can be found in the scoping report. The update will begin in Spring 2020. Any updates to the guideline in the interim period, will be noted in the review report.

​ Current 3-7 years

Some recommendations may be out of date, declaration of interests governance may not be in line with current policy.