The AHA Guidelines and Scientific Statements Handbook

The AHA Guidelines and Scientifi c Statements Handbook

prescribed for al least 1 month (Level of Evidence: A)
and ideally for up to 1 year (Level of Evidence: B)
2 For UA/NSTEMI patients treated with PCI with
bare-metal stents, aspirin 162 to 325 mg per day
should be prescribed for at least 1 month (Level of
Evidence: B), then continued indefi nitely at a dose of
75 to 162 mg per day. (Level of Evidence: A); clopi-
dogrel should be prescribed at a dose of 75 mg per
day for a minimum of 1 month and ideally for up
to 1 year (unless the patient is at increased risk of
bleeding, then it should be given for a minimum of
2 weeks). (Level of Evidence: B)
3 For UA/NSTEMI patients treated with PCI with
DES, aspirin 162 to 325 mg per day should be pre-
scribed for at least 3 months after sirolimus-eluting
stent implantation and 6 months after paclitaxel-
eluting stent implantation (Level of Evidence: B), then
continued indefi nitely at a dose of 75 to 162 mg per
day. (Level of Evidence: A). Clopidogrel 75 mg daily
should be given for at least 12 months to all post-PCI
patients receiving DES (Level of Evidence: B)
4 Clopidogrel 75 mg daily (preferred) or ticlopidine
(in the absence of contraindications) should be
given to patients recovering from UA/NSTEMI
when ASA is contraindicated or not tolerated
because of hypersensitivity or gastrointestinal intol-
erance (but with gastroprotective agents such as
proton-pump inhibitors). (Level of Evidence: A)

II. Beta-blockers
Class I
1 Beta-blockers are indicated for all patients recov-
ering from UA/NSTEMI unless contraindicated.
(For those at low risk, see Class IIa recommendation

below.) Treatment should begin within a few days

of the event, if not initiated acutely, and should be

continued indefi nitely. (Level of Evidence: B)

2 Patients recovering from UA/NSTEMI with mod-

erate or severe LV failure should receive beta-blocker

therapy with a gradual titration scheme. (Level of

Evidence: B)

Class IIa

It is reasonable to prescribe beta-blockers to low-

risk patients (i.e., normal LV function, revascular-

ized, no high-risk features) recovering from UA/

NSTEMI in the absence of absolute contraindica-

tions. (Level of Evidence: B)

III. Inhibition of the renin–

angiotensin–aldosterone system

Class I

1 Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors should

be given and continued indefi nitely for patients

recovering from UA/NSTEMI with HF, LV dysfunc-

tion (ejection fraction less than 0.40), hypertension,

or diabetes mellitus unless contraindicated. (Level of

Evidence: A)

2 An angiotensin receptor blocker should be pre-

scribed at discharge to those UA/NSTEMI patients

who are intolerant of an ACE inhibitor and who

have either clinical or radiological signs of HF and

LVEF less than 0.40. (Level of Evidence: A)

3 Long-term aldosterone receptor blockade should

be prescribed for UA/NSTEMI patients without sig-

nifi cant renal dysfunction (estimated creatinine

clearance should be greater than 30 mL per min) or

hyperkalemia (potassium should be less than or

equal to 5 mEq per L) who are already receiving

Table 2.4 Comparison of ESC and ACC/AHA Guideline Recommendations for Anticoagulants

Anticoagulant therapy for an initial invasive strategy ESC ACC/AHA

Unfractionated heparin IC IA
Enoxaparin IIa-B IA
Fondaparinux Not recommended for urgent invasive; IA (with added heparin,
IIa-C) for non-urgent invasive strategy

IB

Bivalirudin IB IB
Anticoagulant therapy for an initial conservative strategy
Unfractionated heparin IC IA
Enoxaparin IIa-B IA
Fondaparinux IA IB