Ehaa575 PDF

European Heart Journal (2020) 00, 179 ESC GUIDELINES
doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa575
2020 ESC Guidelines for the management of

acute coronary syndromes in patients
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa575/5898842 by guest on 31 August 2020

presenting without persistent ST-segment
elevation
The Task Force for the management of acute coronary syndromes
in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation of
the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
Authors/Task Force Members: Jean-Philippe Collet * (Chairperson) (France),

Holger Thiele * (Chairperson) (Germany), Emanuele Barbato (Italy),
Olivier Barthélémy (France), Johann Bauersachs (Germany), Deepak L. Bhatt
(United States of America), Paul Dendale (Belgium), Maria Dorobantu (Romania),
Thor Edvardsen (Norway), Thierry Folliguet (France), Chris P. Gale
(United Kingdom), Martine Gilard (France), Alexander Jobs (Germany),
Peter Jüni (Canada), Ekaterini Lambrinou (Cyprus), Basil S. Lewis (Israel),
Julinda Mehilli (Germany), Emanuele Meliga (Italy), Béla Merkely (Hungary),
Christian Mueller (Switzerland), Marco Roffi (Switzerland), Frans H. Rutten
(Netherlands), Dirk Sibbing (Germany), George C.M. Siontis (Switzerland)
* Corresponding authors: Jean-Philippe Collet, Sorbonne Université, ACTION Study Group, INSERM UMRS 1166, Institut de Cardiologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salp^etrière (Assistance
Publique- Hôpitaux de Paris) (AP-HP), 83, boulevard de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. Tel þ 33 01 42 16 29 62, E-mail: jean-philippe.collet@aphp.fr
Holger Thiele, Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Heart Center Leipzig at University of Leipzig, Strümpellstr. 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany. Tel: þ49 341 865 1428, Fax:
þ49 341 865 1461, E-mail: holger.thiele@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG) and National Cardiac Societies document reviewers, and Author/Task Force Member affiliations: listed in the Appendix.
ESC entities having participated in the development of this document:
Associations: Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC), Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions (ACNAP), European Association of
Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC), European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), European
Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), Heart Failure Association (HFA).
Councils: Council for Cardiology Practice.
Working Groups: Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, Cardiovascular Surgery, Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation, Thrombosis.
The content of these European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines has been published for personal and educational use only. No commercial use is authorized. No part of
the ESC Guidelines may be translated or reproduced in any form without written permission from the ESC. Permission can be obtained upon submission of a written request to
Oxford University Press, the publisher of the European Heart Journal and the party authorized to handle such permissions on behalf of the ESC (journals.permissions@oup.com).
Disclaimer. The ESC Guidelines represent the views of the ESC and were produced after careful consideration of the scientific and medical knowledge, and the evidence avail-
able at the time of their publication. The ESC is not responsible in the event of any contradiction, discrepancy and/or ambiguity between the ESC Guidelines and any other offi-
cial recommendations or guidelines issued by the relevant public health authorities, in particular in relation to good use of healthcare or therapeutic strategies. Health
professionals are encouraged to take the ESC Guidelines fully into account when exercising their clinical judgment, as well as in the determination and the implementation of pre-
ventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic medical strategies; however, the ESC Guidelines do not override, in any way whatsoever, the individual responsibility of health professionals to
make appropriate and accurate decisions in consideration of each patient’s health condition and in consultation with that patient and, where appropriate and/or necessary, the
patient’s caregiver. Nor do the ESC Guidelines exempt health professionals from taking into full and careful consideration the relevant official updated recommendations or
guidelines issued by the competent public health authorities, in order to manage each patient’s case in light of the scientifically accepted data pursuant to their respective ethical
and professional obligations. It is also the health professional’s responsibility to verify the applicable rules and regulations relating to drugs and medical devices at the time of
prescription.
C The European Society of Cardiology 2020. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.
V
2 ESC Guidelines
Document Reviewers: Adnan Kastrati (CPG Review Coordinator) (Germany), Mamas A. Mamas (CPG
Review Coordinator) (United Kingdom), Victor Aboyans (France), Dominick J. Angiolillo (United States of
America), Hector Bueno (Spain), Raffaele Bugiardini (Italy), Robert A. Byrne (Ireland), Silvia Castelletti
(Italy), Alaide Chieffo (Italy), Veronique Cornelissen (Belgium), Filippo Crea (Italy), Victoria Delgado
(Netherlands), Heinz Drexel (Austria), Marek Gierlotka (Poland), Sigrun Halvorsen (Norway), Kristina
Hermann Haugaa (Norway), Ewa A. Jankowska (Poland), Hugo A. Katus (Germany), Tim Kinnaird (United
Kingdom), Jolanda Kluin (Netherlands), Vijay Kunadian (United Kingdom), Ulf Landmesser (Germany),
Christophe Leclercq (France), Maddalena Lettino (Italy), Leena Meinila (Finland), Darren Mylotte

(Ireland), Gjin Ndrepepa (Germany), Elmir Omerovic (Sweden), Roberto F. E. Pedretti (Italy), Steffen E.
Petersen (United Kingdom), Anna Sonia Petronio (Italy), Gianluca Pontone (Italy), Bogdan A. Popescu
(Romania), Tatjana Potpara (Serbia), Kausik K. Ray (United Kingdom), Flavio Luciano Ribichini (Italy),
Dimitrios J. Richter (Greece), Evgeny Shlyakhto (Russian Federation), Iain A. Simpson (United Kingdom),
Miguel Sousa-Uva (Portugal), Robert F. Storey (United Kingdom), Rhian M. Touyz (United Kingdom),
Marco Valgimigli (Switzerland), Pascal Vranckx (Belgium), Robert W. Yeh (United States of America)
The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the
ESC website www.escardio.org/guidelines
For the Supplementary Data which include background information and detailed discussion of the data
that have provided the basis for the Guidelines see European Heart Journal online.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................
Keywords Guidelines • acute cardiac care • acute coronary syndrome • angioplasty • anticoagulation • antiplatelet
• apixaban • aspirin • atherothrombosis • betablockers • bleedings • bivalirudin • bypass surgery • can-
grelor • chest pain unit • clopidogrel • dabigatran • diabetes • dual antithrombotic therapy • early inva-
sive strategy • edoxaban • enoxaparin • European Society of Cardiology • fondaparinux • glycoprotein IIb/
IIIa inhibitors • heparin • high-sensitivity troponin • minoca • myocardial ischaemia • myocardial infarction
• nitrates • non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction • platelet inhibition • prasugrel • recommendations •
revascularization • rhythm monitoring • rivaroxaban • stent • ticagrelor • triple therapy • unstable angina
..
Table of contents .. 3.3.2.2 Other biomarkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
.. 3.3.3 Rapid ‘rule-in’ and ‘rule-out’ algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
..
Abbreviations and acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .. 3.3.4 Observe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1 Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 .. 3.3.4.1 Caveats of using rapid algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
..
2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .. 3.3.4.2 Confounders of cardiac troponin concentration . . . . . . 15
2.1 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .. 3.3.4.3 Practical guidance on how to implement the
..
2.1.1 Universal definition of myocardial infarction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .. European Society of Cardiology 0 h/1 h algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.1.1.1 Type 1 myocardial infarction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .. 3.3.4.4 Avoiding misunderstandings: time to decision
..
2.1.1.2 Type 2 myocardial infarction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .. = time of blood drawrn-around time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.1.1.3 Types 35 myocardial infarction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
.. 3.3.5 Non-invasive imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
..
2.1.2 Unstable angina in the era of high-sensitivity cardiac .. 3.3.5.1 Functional evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
troponin assays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
.. 3.3.5.2 Anatomical evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
..
2.2 Epidemiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .. 3.4 Differential diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.3 What is new? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
.. 4 Risk assessment and outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
..
2.4 Number and breakdown of classes of .. 4.1 Electrocardiogram indicators (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . 19
recommendations (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
.. 4.2 Biomarkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
..
3 Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .. 4.3 Clinical scores for risk assessment (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . 19
3.1 Clinical presentation (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
.. 4.4 Bleeding risk assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
..
3.2 Physical examination (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .. 4.5 Integrating ischaemic and bleeding risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
..
3.3 Diagnostic tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .. 5 Pharmacological treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.3.1 Electrocardiogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .. 5.1 Antithrombotic treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
..
3.3.2 Biomarkers: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .. 5.1.1 Antiplatelet drugs and pre-treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.3.2.1 Central laboratory vs. point-of-care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 .. 5.1.1.1 Antiplatelet drugs and dual antiplatelet therapy . . . . . . . 23
.
ESC Guidelines 3
5.1.1.2 Pre-treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
.. 6.2.1 Patients who are not candidates for invasive coronary
..
5.1.2 Peri-interventional anticoagulant treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 .. angiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
..
5.1.3 Peri-interventional antiplatelet treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 .. 6.2.2 Patients with coronary artery disease not amenable to
5.1.4 Post-interventional and maintenance treatment . . . . . . . . . . 27 .. revascularization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
..
5.2 Pharmacological treatment of ischaemia .. 6.3 Technical aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 .. 6.3.1 Technical aspects and challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
..
5.2.1 Supportive pharmacological treatment .. 6.3.2 Vascular access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 .. 6.3.3 Revascularization strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
..

5.2.2 Nitrates and beta-blockers (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . 30 .. 6.4 Coronary artery bypass grafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.3 Managing oral antiplatelet agents in patients requiring .. 6.5 Percutaneous coronary intervention vs. coronary artery
..
long-termoral anticoagulants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 .. bypass surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.3.1 Patients with atrial fibrillation without mechanical .. 6.6 Specific situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
..
prosthetic heart valves or moderate-to-severe mitral .. 6.6.1 Management of patients with ongoing myocardial
stenosis undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention .. ischaemia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
..
or managed medically (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 .. 6.6.2 Management of patients with cardiac arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
5.3.2 Patients requiring vitamin K antagonists or undergoing
.. 6.7 Recommendations for coronary revascularization . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
..
coronary artery bypass surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 .. 7 Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries
5.4 Management of acute bleeding events
.. and alternative diagnoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
..
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8 Special populations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
5.4.1 General supportivemeasures
.. 8.1 Heart failure and cardiogenic shock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
..
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8.2 Diabetes mellitus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5.4.2 Bleeding events on antiplatelet agents
.. 8.3 Chronic kidney disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
..
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8.4 Anaemia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
..
5.4.3 Bleeding events on vitamin K antagonists .. 8.5 Thrombocytopenia (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8.5.1 Thrombocytopenia related to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
..
5.4.4 Bleeding events on non-vitamin K antagonist oral .. inhibitors (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
anticoagulants (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8.5.2 Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
..
5.4.5 Non-access-related bleeding events .. (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
(Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8.6 The older person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
..
5.4.6 Bleeding events related to percutaneous coronary .. 8.7 Frailty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
intervention (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 8.8 Sex disparities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
..
5.4.7 Bleeding events related to coronary artery bypass .. 9 Long-term management of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
surgery (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. syndrome (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
5.4.8 Transfusion therapy (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 9.1 Lifestyle management (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
5.4.9 Recommendations for bleeding management and .. 9.1.1 Smoking (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
blood transfusion in non-ST-segment elevation acute .. 9.1.2 Diet and alcohol (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
coronary syndromes for anticoagulated patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 9.1.3 Weight management (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
6 Invasive treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 .. 9.1.3 Physical activity (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6.1 Invasive coronary angiography and revascularization . . . . . . . . . . 34
.. 9.1.4 Cardiac rehabilitation (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
6.1.1 Routine invasive vs. selective invasive .. 9.1.5 Psychosocial factors (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
approach (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
.. 9.1.6 Environmental factors (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
6.1.2 Timing of invasive strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 .. 9.1.7 Sexual activity (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6.1.2.1 Immediate invasive strategy (<2 h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
.. 9.1.8 Adherence and sustainability (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . 47
..
6.1.2.2 Early invasive strategy (<24 h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 .. 9.1.9 Influenza vaccination (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6.1.2.3 Selective invasive strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
.. 9.2 Pharmacological management (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . 47
..
6.1.3 Pattern of coronary artery disease in non-ST-segment .. 9.2.1 Anti-ischaemic drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
elevation acute coronary syndrome (Supplementary Data) . . . . . 37 .. 9.2.1.1 Beta-blockers (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6.1.4 How to identify the culprit lesion? (Supplementary .. 9.2.2 Antithrombotic treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 .. 9.2.3 Proton pump inhibitors (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6.1.5 Spontaneous coronary artery dissection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 .. 9.2.4 Statins and other lipid-lowering agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
..
6.1.6 Fractional flow reserve, instantaneous wave-free .. 9.2.5 Glucose-lowering therapy in patients with diabetes . . . . . . . 48
ratio, and other resting indices (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . 38 .. 9.2.6 Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
..
6.1.6.1 Fractional flow reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 .. blockers (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.1.6.2 Instantaneous wave-free ratio and other .. 9.2.7 Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist
..
resting indices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 .. therapy (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.1.7 Intracoronary imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 .. 9.2.8 Antihypertensive therapy (Supplementary Data) . . . . . . . . . . 48
..
6.2 Conservative treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 . 9.2.9 Hormone replacement therapy (Supplementary Data) . . . . 48
4 ESC Guidelines
..
10 Quality indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 .. Table 4 Conditions other than acute type 1 myocardial infarction
11 Management strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 .. associated with cardiomyocyte injury (= cardiac troponin
..
12 Key messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 .. elevation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
13 Gaps in evidence for non-ST-segment elevation acute
.. Table 5 Assay specific cut-off levels in ng/l within the 0 h/1 h
..
coronary syndrome care and future research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 .. and 0 h/2 h algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 ‘What to do’ and ‘what not to do’messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
.. Table 6 Differential diagnoses of acute coronary syndromes in
..
15 Supplementary data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 .. the setting of acute chest pain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
16 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
.. Table 7 Major andminor criteria for high bleeding risk
..

17 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 .. according to the Academic Research Consortium for High
.. Bleeding Risk at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention
..
.. (bleeding risk is high if at least one major or two minor criteria
Tables of Recommendations ... aremet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
..
.. Table 8 Dose regimen of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in
Recommendations for diagnosis, risk stratification, imaging, and .. non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients . . . . . . . 23
rhythm monitoring in patients with suspected non-ST-segment ..
.. Table 9 P2Y12 receptor inhibitors for use in non-ST-segment
elevation acute coronary syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 .. elevation acute coronary syndrome patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Recommendations on biomarker measurements for prognostic ..
.. Table 10 Treatment options for extended dual antithrombotic or
stratification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 .. antiplatelet therapies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Recommendations for antithrombotic treatment in non-ST- ..
.. Table 11 Risk criteria for extended treatment with a second
segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients .. antithrombotic agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 ..
.. Table 12 Suggested strategies to reduce bleeding risk related to
Recommendations for post-interventional and maintenance .. percutaneous coronary intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
treatment in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute ..
.. Table 13 Randomized controlled trials including patients with
coronary syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 .. non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome requiring
Recommendations for anti-ischaemic drugs in the acute phase ..
.. anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 .. Table 14 Diagnostic criteria of myocardial infarction with
Recommendations for combining antiplatelet agents and ..
.. non-obstructive coronary arteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
anticoagulants in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary .. Table 15 Quality indicators in non-ST-segment elevation acute
syndrome patients requiring chronic oral anticoagulation . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
..
.. coronary syndrome care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Recommendations for bleeding management and blood ..
transfusion in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
..
..
syndromes for anticoagulated patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ..
Recommendations for coronary revascularization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
.. List of figures
..
Recommendations for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive ..
coronary arteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
.. Figure 1 Diagnostic algorithm and triage in acute coronary
.. syndrome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Recommendations for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary ..
.. Figure 2 Value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
syndrome patients with heart failure or cardiogenic shock . . . . . . . . . . . 44 .. Figure 3 0 h/1 h rule-out and rule-in algorithm using high-sensitivity
Recommendations for diabetes mellitus in non-ST-segment ..
.. cardiac troponin assays in haemodynamically stable patients
elevation acute coronary syndrome patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ..
Recommendations for patients with chronic kidney disease .. presenting with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute
.. coronary syndrome to the emergency department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ..
Recommendations for older persons with non-ST-segment .. Figure 4 Timing of the blood draws and clinical decisions when
.. using the European Society of Cardiology 0 h/1 h algorithm. . . . . . . . . . 16
elevation acute coronary syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ..
Recommendations for lifestyle managements after non-STsegment .. Figure 5 Determinants of antithrombotic treatment in coronary
.. artery disease. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
elevation acute coronary syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 ..
Recommendations for pharmacological long-term management .. Figure 6 Antithrombotic treatments in non-ST-segment elevation
.. acute coronary syndrome patients: pharmacological targets. . . . . . . . . . 22
after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome ..
(excluding antithrombotic treatments) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 .. Figure 7 Algorithm for antithrombotic therapy in non-ST-segment eleva-
.. tion acute coronary syndrome patients without atrial fibrillation under-
..
.. going percutaneous coronary intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
.. Figure 8 Algorithm for antithrombotic therapy in non-ST-segment eleva-
List of tables ..
.. tion acute coronary syndrome patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing
Table 1 Classes of recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
.. percutaneous coronary intervention or medical management . . . . . . . 32
..
Table 2 Levels of evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .. Figure 9 Selection of non-ST-segment elevation acute
Table 3 Clinical implications of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin
.. coronary syndrome treatment strategy and timing according to
..
assays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . initial risk stratification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
ESC Guidelines 5
Figure 10 Time to coronary angiography in the early/immediate .. CHA2DS2-VASc Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age
..
invasive and delayed invasive groups of included trials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 .. >_75 years (2 points), Diabetes, Stroke (2
Figure 11 Diagnosis and treatment of patients with non-ST-segment .. points)Vascular disease, Age 6574, Sex
..
elevation acute coronary syndrome related to spontaneous .. category (female)
coronary artery dissection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 .. CHAMPION Cangrelor versus Standard Therapy to
..
Figure 12 Diagnostic algorithm for myocardial infarction with .. Achieve Optimal Management of Platelet
non-obstructive coronary arteries using a traffic light scheme. . . . . . . . 43 ..
.. Inhibition
Figure 13 Central illustration. Management strategy for .. CI Confidence interval
..

non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients. . . . . . . . 52
.. CK Creatine kinase
.. CKD Chronic kidney disease
..
.. CK-MB Creatine kinase myocardial band
Abbreviations and acronyms .. CMR Cardiac magnetic resonance
..
ACCOAST Comparison of Prasugrel at the Time of .. COACT Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest
.. COMPASS Cardiovascular OutcoMes for People using
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or as ..
Pretreatment at the Time of Diagnosis in .. Anticoagulation StrategieS
.. CPG Clinical practice guidelines
Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial ..
Infarction .. CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
.. CrCl Creatinine clearance
ACE Angiotensin-converting enzyme ..
ACS Acute coronary syndromes .. CRUSADE Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable
.. angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes
ACUITY Acute Catheterization and Urgent ..
Intervention Triage strategY ... with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA
ACVC Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care
.. guidelines
.. CS Cardiogenic shock
ADP Adenosine diphosphate ..
AF Atrial fibrillation
.. CT Computed tomography
.. CULPRIT- Culprit Lesion Only PCI versus Multivessel
AGRIS Australian GRACE Risk score Intervention ..
Study
.. SHOCK PCI in Cardiogenic Shock
.. CVD Cardiovascular disease
AHA American Heart Association ..
.. CYP Cytochrome P450
AMI Acute myocardial infarction ..
ARB Angiotensin receptor blocker .. DAPT Dual antiplatelet therapy
.. DAT Dual antithrombotic therapy
ARC-HBR Academic Research Consortium for High ..
Bleeding Risk .. DES Drug-eluting stent
.. EACTS European Association for Cardio-Thoracic
ATLAS ACS 2 Anti-Xa Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular ..
TIMI 51 Events in Addition to Standard Therapy in .. Surgery
.. ECG Electrocardiogram/electrocardiography
Subjects with Acute Coronary ..
SyndromeThrombolysis In Myocardial .. Echo Echocardiogram
.. eGFR Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Infarction 51 ..
AUGUSTUS Antithrombotic Therapy after Acute .. ELISA Early or Late Intervention in unStable Angina
.. ENTRUST- EdoxabaN TRreatment versUS VKA in
Coronary Syndrome or PCI in Atrial ..
Fibrillation .. AF PCI paTients with AF undergoing PCI
.. ESC European Society of Cardiology
BARC Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ..
BEST Randomized Comparison of Coronary .. FAMOUS- Fractional flow reserve versus angiography in
.. NSTEMI guiding management to optimize outcomes in
Artery Bypass Surgery and Everolimus- ..
Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment
.. non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
.. FFR Fractional flow reserve
of Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery ..
Disease
.. FFR-CT Fractional flow reserve-computed
.. tomography
b.i.d . Bis in die (twice a day) ..
BNP B-type natriuretic peptide
.. GDF-15 Growth differentiation factor 15
.. GP Glycoprotein
CABG Coronary artery bypass graft(ing) ..
CAD Coronary artery disease
.. GRACE Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events
.. HAS-BLED Hypertension, abnormal renal and liver
CCS Chronic coronary syndromes ..
.. function (1 point each), stroke, bleeding
CCTA Coronary computed tomography ..
angiography .. history or predisposition, labile INR, elderly
.. (>65 years), drugs and alcohol (1 point each)
CCU Coronary care unit ..
CFR Coronary flow reserve .. HBR High bleeding risk
.. h-FABP Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein
6 ESC Guidelines
HIT Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

.. PEGASUS-TIMI 54 Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in
..
HR Hazard ratio .. Patients with Prior Heart Attack Using
hs-cTn High-sensitivity cardiac troponin
.. Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a
..
IABP Intra-aortic balloon pump .. Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis in
IABP-SHOCK II Intraaortic Balloon Pump in cardiogenic
.. Myocardial Infarction 54
..
shock II .. PLATO PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes
ICA Invasive coronary angiography
.. POCT Point-of-care test
..
iFR Instantaneous wave-free ratio .. PPV Positive predictive value

..
IMR Index of microcirculatory resistance .. PRECISE-DAPT PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients
INR International normalized ratio .. undergoing Stent implantation and
..
ISAR-REACT Intracoronary stenting and Antithrombotic .. subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy
regimenRapid Early Action for Coronary .. PRECOMBAT Premier of Randomized Comparison of
..
Treatment .. Bypass Surgery versus Angioplasty Using
ISAR-TRIPLE Triple Therapy in Patients on Oral .. Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients with Left
..
Anticoagulation After Drug Eluting Stent .. Main Coronary Artery Disease
Implantation .. PROMs Patient-reported outcome measures
..
i.v. Intravenous .. QI Quality indicator
IVUS Intravascular ultrasound .. RBBB Right bundle branch block
..
LBBB Left bundle branch block .. RCT Randomized controlled trial
LD Loading dose .. RE-DUAL PCI Randomized Evaluation of Dual
..
LDL-C Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol .. Antithrombotic Therapy with Dabigatran
LIPSIA-NSTEMI Leipzig Immediate versus early and late
.. versus Triple Therapy with Warfarin in
..
PercutaneouS coronary Intervention triAl in .. Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
NSTEMI
.. Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary
..
LMWH Low-molecular-weight heparin .. Intervention
LV Left ventricular
.. REDUCE-IT Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with
..
LVEF Left ventricular ejection fraction .. Icosapent EthylIntervention Trial
MACE Major adverse cardiovascular events
.. RFR Resting full-cycle ratio
..
MATRIX Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by .. RIDDLE-NSTEMI Randomized Study of Immediate Versus
..
TRansradial Access Site and Systemic .. Delayed Invasive Intervention in Patients
Implementation of angioX .. With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial
..
MD Maintenance dose .. Infarction
MDCT Multidetector computed tomography .. RIVAL RadIal Vs femorAL access for coronary
..
MI Myocardial infarction .. intervention
MINOCA Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive .. RR Relative risk
..
coronary arteries .. SAPT Single antiplatelet therapy
MRA Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist .. SCAAR Swedish Coronary Angiography and
..
NOAC Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant .. Angioplasty Registry
NPV Negative predictive value .. SCAD Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
..
NSTE-ACS Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary .. SISCA Comparison of Two Treatment Strategies in
syndrome .. Patients With an Acute Coronary Syndrome
..
NSTEMI Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial .. Without ST Elevation
infarction .. SMILE Impact of Different Treatment in Multivessel
..
NT-proBNP N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide .. Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
OAC Oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant
.. Patients: One Stage Versus Multistaged
..
OASIS-5 Fifth Organization to Assess Strategies in .. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Acute Ischemic Syndromes
.. SPECT Single-photon-emission tomography
..
OCT Optical coherence tomography .. STEMI ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
o.d. Once daily
.. STS Society of Thoracic Surgeons
..
OR Odds ratio .. SYNTAX Synergy between PCI with Taxus and cardiac
P Prasugrel
.. surgery
..
PAD Peripheral artery disease .. TAT Triple antithrombotic therapy
..
PCI Percutaneous coronary intervention .. TIMACS Timing of Intervention in Patients with Acute
PCSK9 Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 .. Coronary Syndromes
..
Pd/Pa Distal coronary to aortic pressure ratio .. TIMI Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction
ESC Guidelines 7
..
TRITON-TIMI 38 TRial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic .. decisions concerning an individual patient must be made by the
Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet InhibitioN
.. responsible health professional(s) in consultation with the patient
..
with PrasugrelThrombolysis In Myocardial .. and caregiver as appropriate.
Infarction 38
.. A great number of guidelines have been issued in recent years by
..
TROPICAL-ACS Testing Responsiveness to Platelet Inhibition .. the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), as well as by other soci-
.. eties and organizations. Because of their impact on clinical practice,
on Chronic Antiplatelet Treatment for Acute ..
Coronary Syndromes .. quality criteria for the development of guidelines have been estab-
.. lished in order to make all decisions transparent to the user. The rec-
TWILIGHT Ticagrelor With Aspirin or Alone in High- ..

Risk Patients After Coronary Intervention .. ommendations for formulating and issuing ESC Guidelines can be
.. found on the ESC website (https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/
UFH Unfractionated heparin ..
UKGRIS UK GRACE Risk Score Intervention Study .. Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Guidelines-development/Writing-ESC-
.. Guidelines). The ESC Guidelines represent the official position of the
ULTIMATE Intravascular Ultrasound Guided Drug Eluting ..
Stents Implantation in “All-Comers” .. ESC on a given topic and are regularly updated.
.. In addition to the publication of Clinical Practice Guidelines, the
Coronary Lesions ..
VALIDATE- Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and .. ESC carries out the EurObservational Research Programme of inter-
.. national registries of cardiovascular diseases and interventions which
SWEDEHEART Development of Evidence-based care in ..
Heart disease Evaluated According to .. are essential to assess, diagnostic/therapeutic processes, use of
.. resources and adherence to Guidelines. These registries aim at pro-
Recommended Therapies ..
VERDICT Very EaRly vs Deferred Invasive evaluation
.. viding a better understanding of medical practice in Europe and
..
using Computerized Tomography .. around the world, based on high-quality data collected during routine
VKA Vitamin K antagonist
.. clinical practice.
..
WOEST What is the Optimal antiplatElet and .. Furthermore, the ESC has developed and embedded in this docu-
anticoagulant therapy in patients with oral
.. ment a set of quality indicators (QIs), which are tools to evaluate the
..
anticoagulation and coronary StenTing .. level of implementation of the Guidelines and may be used by the
.. ESC, hospitals, healthcare providers and professionals to measure
..
1 Preamble .. clinical practice as well as used in educational programmes, alongside
.. the key messages from the guidelines, to improve quality of care and
..
Guidelines summarize and evaluate available evidence with the aim of .. clinical outcomes.
assisting health professionals in proposing the best management .. The Members of this Task Force were selected by the ESC, includ-
..
strategies for an individual patient with a given condition. Guidelines .. ing representation from its relevant ESC sub-specialty groups, in
and their recommendations should facilitate decision making of
.. order to represent professionals involved with the medical care of
..
health professionals in their daily practice. However, the final . patients with this pathology. Selected experts in the field undertook a
Table 1 Classes of recommendations
Wording to use
Classes of recommendations
Class I Evidence and/or general agreement Is recommended or is indicated

that a given treatment or procedure is
Class II
Class IIa Weight of evidence/opinion is in Should be considered
Class IIb May be considered

established by evidence/opinion.
Class III Evidence or general agreement that the Is not recommended

©ESC 2020
given treatment or procedure is not

useful/effective, and in some cases
may be harmful.
8 ESC Guidelines
Table 2 Levels of evidence
Level of Data derived from multiple randomized clinical trials

evidence A or meta-analyses.

Level of Data derived from a single randomized clinical trial
evidence B or large non-randomized studies.
©ESC 2020
Level of Consensus of opinion of the experts and/or small studies,
evidence C retrospective studies, registries.
comprehensive review of the published evidence for management

.. ST-segment elevation, persistent or transient ST-segment
..
of a given condition according to ESC Committee for Practice .. depression, T-wave inversion, flat T waves, or pseudo-
Guidelines (CPG) policy. A critical evaluation of diagnostic and
.. normalization of T waves; or the ECG may be normal.
..
therapeutic procedures was performed, including assessment of ..
the riskbenefit ratio. The level of evidence and the strength of
.. The pathological correlate at the myocardial level is cardiomyo-
.. cyte necrosis [non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
the recommendation of particular management options were ..
weighed and graded according to predefined scales, as outlined
.. (NSTEMI)] or, less frequently, myocardial ischaemia without cell
.. damage (unstable angina). A small proportion of patients may present
below. ..
.. with ongoing myocardial ischaemia, characterized by one or more of
.. the following: recurrent or ongoing chest pain, marked ST-segment
..
2 Introduction ..
..
depression on 12-lead ECG, heart failure, and haemodynamic or
.. electrical instability.1 Due to the amount of myocardium in jeopardy
2.1 Definitions .. and the risk of developing CS and/or malignant ventricular arrhyth-
.. mias, immediate coronary angiography and, if appropriate, revascula-
The clinical presentation of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is ..
broad. It ranges from cardiac arrest, electrical or haemodynamic .. rization are indicated (see section 6).
..
instability with cardiogenic shock (CS) due to ongoing ischaemia or ..
mechanical complications such as severe mitral regurgitation, to .. 2.1.1 Universal definition of myocardial infarction
..
patients who are already pain free again at the time of presentation.1 .. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) defines cardiomyocyte necrosis in
The leading symptom initiating the diagnostic and therapeutic cascade .. a clinical setting consistent with acute myocardial ischaemia.1,3 A
..
in patients with suspected ACS is acute chest discomfort described as .. combination of criteria is required to meet the diagnosis of AMI,
pain, pressure, tightness, and burning. Chest pain-equivalent symp- .. namely the detection of an increase and/or decrease of a cardiac bio-
..
toms may include dyspnoea, epigastric pain, and pain in the left arm. .. marker, preferably high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) T or I,
Based on the electrocardiogram (ECG), two groups of patients .. with at least one value above the 99th percentile of the upper refer-
..
should be differentiated: .. ence limit and at least one of the following:
..
• Patients with acute chest pain and persistent (>20 min) .. (1) Symptoms of myocardial ischaemia.
..
ST-segment elevation. This condition is termed ST-segment ele- .. (2) New ischaemic ECG changes.
vation ACS and generally reflects an acute total or subtotal coro- .. (3) Development of pathological Q waves on ECG.
..
nary occlusion. Most patients will ultimately develop ST-segment .. (4) Imaging evidence of loss of viable myocardium or new regional wall
elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The mainstay of treat- .. motion abnormality in a pattern consistent with an ischaemic
..
ment in these patients is immediate reperfusion by primary per- .. aetiology.
cutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or, if not available in a .. (5) Intracoronary thrombus detected on angiography or autopsy.
..
timely manner, by fibrinolytic therapy.2 ..
• Patients with acute chest discomfort but no persistent .. 2.1.1.1 Type 1 myocardial infarction
..
ST-segment elevation [non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE- .. Type 1 myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by atheroscler-
ACS)] exhibit ECG changes that may include transient .. otic plaque rupture, ulceration, fissure, or erosion with resulting
ESC Guidelines 9
..
intraluminal thrombus in one or more coronary arteries leading .. 2.3 What is new?
to decreased myocardial blood flow and/or distal embolization ..
..
and subsequent myocardial necrosis. The patient may have under- .. New key recommendations
lying severe coronary artery disease (CAD) but, on occasion ..
..
(510% of cases), there may be non-obstructive coronary athe- .. Diagnosis
rosclerosis or no angiographic evidence of CAD, particularly in ..
..
women.1,35 .. As an alternative to the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm, it is recommended to use the ESC 0 h/2 h
.. algorithm with blood sampling at 0 h and 2 h, if an hs-cTn test with a validated 0 h/2 h
.. algorithm is available.

2.1.1.2 Type 2 myocardial infarction ..
Type 2 MI is myocardial necrosis in which a condition other than cor- .. For diagnostic purposes, it is not recommended to routinely measure additional biomarkers such
.. as CK, CK-MB, h-FABP, or copeptin, in addition to hs-cTn.
onary plaque instability causes an imbalance between myocardial ..
oxygen supply and demand.3 Mechanisms include hypotension, ..
.. Risk stratification
hypertension, tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, anaemia, hypo- ..
xaemia, but also by definition, coronary artery spasm, spontaneous .. Measuring BNP or NT-proBNP plasma concentrations should be considered to gain prognostic
.. information.
coronary artery dissection (SCAD), coronary embolism, and coro- ..
nary microvascular dysfunction.68
..
..
.. Antithrombotic treatment
2.1.1.3 Types 35 myocardial infarction
..
.. Prasugrel should be considered in preference to ticagrelor for NSTE-ACS patients
The universal definition of MI also includes type 3 MI (MI resulting in .. who proceed to PCI.
death when biomarkers are not available) and types 4 and 5 MI
..
.. It is not recommended to administer routine pre-treatment with a P2Y receptor inhibitor to
[related to PCI and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), .. patients in whom the coronary anatomy is not known and early invasive management is 12
.. planned.
respectively].3 ..
..
.. In patients with NSTE-ACS who cannot undergo an early invasive strategy, pre-treatment with
2.1.2 Unstable angina in the era of high-sensitivity cardiac 12 .. a P2Y receptor inhibitor may be considered depending on bleeding risk.
..
troponin assays .. De-escalation of P2Y inhibitor treatment (e.g. with a switch from prasugrel or ticagrelor to
Unstable angina is defined as myocardial ischaemia at rest or on mini- .. clopidogrel) may be considered as an alternative DAPT strategy, especially for ACS patients
12
.. deemed unsuitable for potent platelet inhibition. De-escalation may be done unguided based on
mal exertion in the absence of acute cardiomyocyte injury/necrosis. .. clinical judgment, or guided by platelet function testing, or CYP2C19 genotyping depending
Among unselected patients presenting to the emergency department .. on the patient’s risk profile and availability of respective assays.
..
with suspected NSTE-ACS, the introduction of hs-cTn measure- .. In patients with AF (CHA DS -VASc score ≥1 in men and ≥2 in women), after a short period
ments in place of standard troponin assays resulted in an increase in .. of TAT (up to 1 week from the acute event), DAT is recommended as the default strategy using
2 2
.. a NOAC at the recommended dose for stroke prevention and single oral antiplatelet agent
the detection of MI (4% absolute and 20% relative increases) and a .. (preferably clopidogrel).
reciprocal decrease in the diagnosis of unstable angina.913 ..
.. Discontinuation of antiplatelet treatment in patients treated with OACs is recommended after 12
Compared with NSTEMI patients, individuals with unstable angina do .. months.
not experience acute cardiomyocyte injury/necrosis, have a substan- ..
.. DAT with an OAC and either ticagrelor or prasugrel may be considered as an alternative to
tially lower risk of death, and appear to derive less benefit from inten- .. TAT with an OAC, aspirin, and clopidogrel in patients with a moderate or high risk of stent
sified antiplatelet therapy, as well as an invasive strategy within
.. thrombosis, irrespective of the type of stent used.
..
72 h.1,35,919 Pathophysiology and epidemiology are discussed in ..
detail elsewhere.1
.. Invasive treatment
..
.. An early invasive strategy within 24 h is recommended in patients with any of the following
.. high-risk criteria:
2.2 Epidemiology .. • Diagnosis of NSTEMI.
• Dynamic or presumably new contiguous ST/T-segment changes suggesting ongoing
The proportion of patients with NSTEMI in MI surveys increased
..
.. ischaemia.
• Transient ST-segment elevation.
from one third in 1995 to more than half in 2015, mainly accounted .. • GRACE risk score >140.
for by a refinement in the operational diagnosis of NSTEMI20. As
..
..
opposed to STEMI, no significant changes are observed in the base- .. A selective invasive strategy after appropriate ischaemia testing or detection of obstructive
line characteristics of the NSTEMI population with respect to age and
.. CAD by CCTA is recommended in patients considered at low risk.
..
smoking, while diabetes, hypertension, and obesity increased sub- .. Delayed, as opposed to immediate, angiography should be considered in haemodynamically
stantially. The use of early angiography (<_72 h from admission)
.. stable patients without ST-segment elevation successfully resuscitated after an out-of-hospital
.. cardiac arrest.
increased from 9% in 1995 to 60% in 2015 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) ..
.. Complete revascularization should be considered in NSTE-ACS patients without cardiogenic
16.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.022.4, P<0.001] and PCI dur- .. shock and with multivessel CAD.
ing the initial hospital stay increased from 12.5% to 67%. The main ..
.. Complete revascularization during index PCI may be considered in NSTE-ACS patients with
consequences of these changes are a reduction in 6-month mortality .. multivessel disease.
from 17.2% to 6.3% and the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) decreased to ..
.. FFR-guided revascularization of non-culprit NSTE-ACS lesions may be used during index
0.40 (95% CI 0.300.54) in 2010, remaining stable at 0.40 .. PCI.
(0.300.52) in 2015.20 ..
..
..
..
.
Continued
10 ESC Guidelines
..
.. antithrombotic therapy; ECG = electrocardiogram/electrocardiogra-
Major changes in recommendations .. phy; ESC = European Society of Cardiology; FFR = fractional flow
..
.. reserve; GP = glycoprotein; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute
2015 2020 .. Coronary Events; h-FABP = heart-type fatty acid-binding protein;
..
Diagnosis
.. hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; MDCT = multidetector
.. computed tomography; MINOCA = myocardial infarction with non-
..
.. obstructive coronary arteries; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist
A rapid rule-out protocol at 0 h and 3 h is
A rapid rule-out and rule-in protocol with
blood sampling at 0 h and 3 h should be
.. oral anticoagulant; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute
..

recommended if hs-cTn tests are available. considered if an hs-cTn test with a validated
0 h/3 h algorithm is available. .. coronary syndrome; NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocar-
.. dial infarction; NT-proBNP = N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic pep-
..
MDCT coronary angiography should be CCTA is recommended as an alternative to .. tide; OAC = oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant; PCI = percutaneous
considered as an alternative to invasive invasive angiography to exclude ACS .. coronary intervention; QI = quality indicator; RCT = randomized
angiography to exclude ACS when there is when there is a low-to-intermediate ..
a low-to-intermediate likelihood of CAD likelihood of CAD and when cardiac .. controlled trial; SCAD = spontaneous coronary artery dissection;
and when cardiac troponin and/or ECG are
inconclusive.
troponin and/or ECG are normal or
inconclusive.
.. TAT = triple antithrombotic therapy; UFH = unfractionated heparin.
..
..
Rhythm monitoring up to 24 h or PCI Rhythm monitoring up to 24 h or to PCI ..
(whichever comes first) should be (whichever comes first) is recommended in .. 2.4 Number and breakdown of classes of
considered in NSTEMI patients at low risk NSTEMI patients at low risk for cardiac .. recommendations (Supplementary Data)
for cardiac arrhythmias. arrhythmias. ..
.. The total number of recommendations is 131. The breakdown of the
..
Rhythm monitoring for >24 h should be
considered in NSTEMI patients at
Rhythm monitoring for >24 h is .. recommendations according to ESC classes of recommendations
intermediate-to-high risk for cardiac
recommended in NSTEMI patients at .. and levels of evidence are summarized in Supplementary Figure 1.
arrhythmias.
increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias. ..
..
..
Risk assessment .. 3 Diagnosis
..
..
It is recommended to use established risk GRACE risk score models should be .. 3.1 Clinical presentation (Supplementary
scores for prognosis estimation. considered for estimating prognosis. ..
.. Data)
Pharmacological treatments
..
..
..
Bivalirudin (0.75 mg/kg i.v. bolus, .. 3.2 Physical examination (Supplementary
followed by 1.75 mg/kg/h for up to 4 h .. Data)
after the procedure) is recommended as an
Bivalirudin may be considered as an ..
alternative to UFH plus GP IIb/IIIa
alternative to UFH.
..
inhibitors during PCI. ..
.. 3.3 Diagnostic tools
Adding a second antithrombotic agent to
.. 3.3.1 Electrocardiogram
P2Y12 inhibitor administration in addition
aspirin for extended long-term secondary ..
to aspirin beyond 1 year may be
prevention should be considered in .. The resting 12-lead ECG is the first-line diagnostic tool in the assess-
considered after careful assessment of the
patients at high risk of ischaemic events .. ment of patients with suspected ACS (Figure 1). It is recommended
ischaemic and bleeding risks of the
patient.
and without increased risk of major or ..
life-threatening bleeding. .. to perform it within 10 min of the patient’s arrival in the emergency
.. room or, ideally, at first contact with the emergency medical services
Class I Class IIa Class IIb ..
.. in the pre-hospital setting and to have it immediately interpreted by a
.. qualified physician.21 While the ECG in the setting of NSTE-ACS may
New sections ..
.. be normal in more than 30% of patients, characteristic abnormalities
• MINOCA ..
• SCAD .. include ST-segment depression, transient ST-segment elevation, and
• QIs in NSTE-ACS treatment .. T-wave changes.68,1013,22
..
.. If the standard leads are inconclusive and the patient has signs or
.. symptoms suggestive of ongoing myocardial ischaemia, additional
New/revised concepts ..
.. leads should be recorded; left circumflex artery occlusion may be
• Rapid rule-in and rule-out algorithms .. detected only in V7V9 or right ventricular MI only in V3R and
• Risk stratification for an early invasive approach ..
.. V4R.3 In patients with suggestive signs and symptoms, the finding of
©ESC 2020
• Definition of high bleeding risk

• Definitions of very high and high ischaemic risk
.. persistent ST-segment elevation indicates STEMI, which mandates
•
..
The gap in evidence and corresponding RCTs to be performed .. immediate reperfusion.2 Comparison with previous tracings is valua-
.. ble, particularly in patients with pre-existing ECG abnormalities. It is
..
ACS = acute coronary syndromes; AF = atrial fibrillation; BNP = B- .. recommended to obtain additional 12-lead ECGs in case of persis-
type natriuretic peptide; CAD = coronary artery disease; CCTA = .. tent or recurrent symptoms or diagnostic uncertainty. In patients
..
coronary computed tomography angiography; CHA2DS2-VASc = .. with left bundle branch block (LBBB), specific ECG criteria
Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age >_75 years (2 points), .. (Sgarbossa’s criteria) may help in the detection of candidates for
..
Diabetes, Stroke (2 points)Vascular disease, Age 6574, Sex cate- .. immediate coronary angiography.23,24 Patients with a high clinical sus-
gory (female); CK = creatine kinase; CK-MB = creatine kinase myo-
.. picion of ongoing myocardial ischaemia and LBBB should be managed
..
cardial band; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; DAT = dual . in a way similar to STEMI patients, regardless of whether the LBBB is
ESC Guidelines 11

©ESC 2020
Figure 1 Diagnostic algorithm and triage in acute coronary syndrome. The initial assessment is based on the integration of low likelihood and/or high likelihood
features derived from the clinical setting (i.e. symptoms, vital signs), the 12-lead ECG, and the cardiac troponin concentration determined at presentation to the
emergency department and serially thereafter. ‘Other cardiac’ includes among others myocarditis, Takotsubo syndrome, or congestive heart failure. ‘Non-
cardiac’ refers to thoracic diseases such as pneumonia or pneumothorax. Cardiac troponin and its change during serial sampling should be interpreted as a quanti-
tative marker: the higher the 0 h level or the absolute change during serial sampling, the higher the likelihood for the presence of MI. In patients presenting with
cardiac arrest or haemodynamic instability of presumed cardiovascular origin, echocardiography should be performed/interpreted by trained physicians immedi-
ately following a 12-lead ECG. If the initial evaluation suggests aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism, D-dimers and CCTA angiography are recommended
according to dedicated algorithms.1,2933 CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ECG = electrocardiogram/electrocardiography; MI = myocardial infarction;
NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; STEMI = ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
..
previously known.2 In contrast, haemodynamically stable patients .. with acute chest pain and RBBB to the emergency department will
presenting with chest pain and LBBB only have a slightly higher risk of .. ultimately be found to have a diagnosis other than MI and should,
..
having MI compared to patients without LBBB. Therefore, the result .. therefore, also await the result of the hs-cTn T/I measurement at
of the hs-cTn T/I measurement at presentation should be integrated .. presentation.25
..
into the decision regarding immediate coronary angiography.24 ..
In patients with right bundle brunch block (RBBB), ST-elevation is .. 3.3.2 Biomarkers: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin
..
indicative of STEMI while ST-segment depression in lead I, aVL, and .. Biomarkers complement clinical assessment and 12-lead ECG in the
V56 is indicative of NSTE-ACS.25 In patients with paced ventricular .. diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment of patients with suspected
..
beats, the ECG is often of no help for the diagnosis of NSTE-ACS. .. NSTE-ACS. Measurement of a biomarker of cardiomyocyte injury,
Novel ECG algorithms using digital ECG data are in devel- .. preferably hs-cTn, is mandatory in all patients with suspected NSTE-
..
opment.2628 In general, it is advisable to perform ECG interpreta- .. ACS.1,3,1013 Cardiac troponins are more sensitive and specific
tion using remote technologies at the pre-hospital stage. .. markers of cardiomyocyte injury than creatine kinase (CK), its myo-
..
It is important to highlight that more than 50% of patients pre- .. cardial band isoenzyme (CK-MB), and myoglobin.1,3,4,1013,29,30 If the
senting with acute chest pain and LBBB to the emergency depart- .. clinical presentation is compatible with myocardial ischaemia, then a
..
ment or chest pain unit will ultimately be found to have a diagnosis .. dynamic elevation of cardiac troponin above the 99th percentile of
other than MI.24 Similarly, more than 50% of patients presenting
.. healthy individuals indicates MI. In patients with MI, levels of cardiac
12 ESC Guidelines

©ESC 2020
Figure 2 Value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin. hs-cTn assays (right) are reported in ng/L and provide identical information as conventional assays
(left, reported in lg/L) if the concentration is substantially elevated, e.g. above 100 ng/L. In contrast, only hs-cTn allows a precise differentiation between
‘normal’ and mildly elevated. Therefore, hs-cTn detects a relevant proportion of patients with previously undetectable cardiac troponin concentrations
with the conventional assay who have hs-cTn concentrations above the 99th percentile possibly related to AMI. ??? = unknown due to the inability of the
assay to measure in the normal range;68,1013,2931 AMI = acute myocardial infarction; CoV = coefficient of variation; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac
troponin; POCT = point-of-care test. aThe limit of detection varies among the different hs-cTn assays between 1 ng/L and 5 ng/L. Similarly, the 99th percen-
tile varies among the different hs-cTn assays, mainly being between 10 ng/L and 20 ng/L. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
..
troponin rise rapidly (i.e. usually within 1 h from symptom onset if .. obvious advantage of POCTs, namely the shorter turn-around time,
using high-sensitivity assays) after symptom onset and remain ele- .. is counterbalanced by lower sensitivity, lower diagnostic accuracy,
..
vated for a variable period of time (usually several .. and lower negative predictive value (NPV). Overall, automated assays
days).1,3,4,1013,29,30 Advances in technology have led to a refinement .. have been more thoroughly evaluated than POCTs and seem to be
..
in cardiac troponin assays and have improved the ability to detect .. preferable at this point in time.1,3,4,68,1013,29,30,33,35,36
and quantify cardiomyocyte injury.1,3,4,68,1013,29,30,3436 Data from .. As these techniques continue to improve, and performance char-
..
large multicentre studies have consistently shown that hs-cTn assays .. acteristics are both assay and hospital dependent, it is important to
increase diagnostic accuracy for MI at the time of presentation as .. re-evaluate this preference once extensively validated high-sensitivity
..
compared with conventional assays (Figure 2), especially in patients .. POCTs become clinically available.42 The first hs-cTn I POCTs have
presenting early after chest pain onset, and allow for a more rapid
.. recently been shown to provide comparable performance character-
..
‘rule-in’ and ‘rule-out’ of MI (see section 3.3.3 and .. istics to that of central laboratory hs-cTn I/T assays.43,44
Table 3).1,3,4,68,1013,29,30,35,36 Overall, hs-cTn T and hs-cTn I assays
.. Many cardiac pathologies other than MI also result in cardiomyo-
..
seem to provide comparable diagnostic accuracy in the early diagno- .. cyte injury and, therefore, cardiac troponin elevations (Table 4).
sis of MI.3740
.. Tachyarrhythmias, heart failure, hypertensive emergencies, critical ill-
..
.. ness, myocarditis, Takotsubo syndrome, and valvular heart disease
3.3.2.1 Central laboratory vs. point-of-care
.. are the most frequent ones. Most often in elderly patients with renal
..
The vast majority of cardiac troponin assays that are run on auto- .. dysfunction, elevations in cardiac troponin should not be primarily
.. attributed to impaired clearance and considered harmless, as cardiac
mated platforms in the central laboratory are sensitive (i.e. allow for ..
detection of cardiac troponin in 2050% of healthy individuals) or .. conditions such as chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) or hyperten-
..
high-sensitivity (detection in 5095% of healthy individuals) assays. .. sive heart disease seem to be the most important contributor to car-
High-sensitivity assays are recommended over less sensitive ones, as .. diac troponin elevation in this setting.35,45 Other life-threatening
..
they provide higher diagnostic accuracy at identical low .. conditions presenting with chest pain, such as aortic dissection and
cost.1,3,4,68,1013,29,30,33,35,36 .. pulmonary embolism, may also result in elevated cardiac troponin
..
The majority of currently used point-of-care tests (POCTs) cannot .. concentrations and should be considered as differential diagnoses
be considered sensitive or high-sensitivity assays41. Therefore, the .. (Table 4).
ESC Guidelines 13
Table 3 Clinical implications of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays
Compared with standard cardiac troponin assays, hs-cTn assays:

• Have higher NPV for AMI.
• Reduce the ‘troponin-blind’ interval leading to earlier detection of AMI.
• Result in 4% absolute and 20% relative increases in the detection of type 1 MI and a corresponding decrease in the diagnosis of unstable angina.
• Are associated with a 2-fold increase in the detection of type 2 MI.

Levels of hs-cTn should be interpreted as quantitative markers of cardiomyocyte damage (i.e. the higher the level, the greater the like-
lihood of MI):
• Elevations beyond 5-fold the upper reference limit have high (>90%) PPV for acute type 1 MI.
• Elevations up to 3-fold the upper reference limit have only limited (5060%) PPV for AMI and may be associated with a broad spectrum of conditions.
• It is common to detect circulating levels of cardiac troponin in healthy individuals.
Rising and/or falling cardiac troponin levels differentiate acute (as in MI) from chronic cardiomyocyte damage (the more pronounced
the change, the higher the likelihood of AMI).
AMI = acute myocardial infarction; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; MI = myocardial infarction; NPV = negative predictive value; PPV = positive predictive value.
.. provide added value for the timing of myocardial injury and the detec-
Table 4 Conditions other than acute type 1 myocardial
..
.. tion of early reinfarction.1 However, it is important to highlight that lit-
infarction associated with cardiomyocyte injury ..
(5 cardiac troponin elevation) .. tle is known on how to best diagnose early reinfarction. Detailed
.. clinical assessment including chest pain characteristics (same character-
Tachyarrhythmias ..
.. istics as index event), 12-lead ECG for the detection of new ST-
Heart failure .. segment changes or T-wave inversion, as well as serial measurement of
..
Hypertensive emergencies .. cardiac troponin T/I and CK/CK-MB is recommended. Myosin-binding
Critical illness (e.g. shock/sepsis/burns)
.. protein C is more abundant than cardiac troponin and may therefore
..
Myocarditisa .. provide value as an alternative to, or in combination with, cardiac tro-
.. ponin.46 Assessment of copeptin, the C-terminal part of the vasopres-
Takotsubo syndrome ..
Valvular heart disease (e.g. aortic stenosis)
.. sin prohormone, may quantify the endogenous stress level in multiple
.. medical conditions including MI. As the level of endogenous stress
Aortic dissection ..
.. appears to be high at the onset of MI in most patients, the added value
Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension .. of copeptin to conventional (less sensitive) cardiac troponin assays is
Renal dysfunction and associated cardiac disease
..
.. substantial.49,50,53 Therefore, the routine use of copeptin as an addi-
Acute neurological event (e.g. stroke or subarachnoid .. tional biomarker for the early rule-out of MI is recommended in the
..
haemorrhage) .. increasingly uncommon setting where hs-cTn assays are not available.
Cardiac contusion or cardiac procedures (CABG, PCI, ablation, pacing, .. However, copeptin does not have relevant added value for institutions
..
cardioversion, or endomyocardial biopsy) .. using one of the well-validated hs-cTn-based rapid protocols in the
Hypo- and hyperthyroidism
.. early diagnosis of MI.47,48,51,52,5458 Other widely available laboratory
..
Infiltrative diseases (e.g. amyloidosis, haemochromatosis, sarcoidosis, .. variables, such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glucose,
.. and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) provide incremental prognostic
scleroderma) ..
Myocardial drug toxicity or poisoning (e.g. doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil,
.. information and may therefore help in risk stratification.59 The deter-
..
herceptin, snake venoms) .. mination of D-dimer is recommended in outpatients/emergency
.. department patients with low or intermediate clinical probability, or
Extreme endurance efforts ..
Rhabdomyolysis .. those that are unlikely to have pulmonary embolism, to reduce the
.. need for unnecessary imaging and irradiation. D-dimers are key diag-
Bold = most frequent conditions. ..
CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); PCI = percutaneous coronary .. nostic elements whenever pulmonary embolism is suspected.32,60
intervention. ..
a
Includes myocardial extension of endocarditis or pericarditis.
..
..
.. 3.3.3 Rapid ‘rule-in’ and ‘rule-out’ algorithms
..
.. Due to the higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for the detec-
.. tion of MI at presentation, the time interval to the second cardiac tro-
3.3.2.2 Other biomarkers ..
.. ponin assessment can be shortened with the use of hs-cTn assays.
Among the multitude of additional biomarkers evaluated for the diag- .. This seems to substantially reduce the delay to diagnosis, translating
..
nosis of NSTE-ACS, only CK-MB, myosin-binding protein C,46 and .. into shorter stays in the emergency department and lower
copeptin4758 may have clinical relevance in specific clinical settings
.. costs.11,56,6166 It is recommended to use the 0 h/1 h algorithm (best
..
when used in combination with cardiac troponin T/I. Compared with .. option, blood draw at 0 h and 1 h) or the 0 h/2 h algorithm (second-
cardiac troponin, CK-MB shows a more rapid decline after MI and may
.. best option, blood draw at 0 h and 2 h) (Figure 3). These have been
14 ESC Guidelines

©ESC 2020
Figure 3 0 h/1 h rule-out and rule-in algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays in haemodynamically stable patients presenting with sus-
pected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome to the emergency department. 0 h and 1 h refer to the time from first blood test. NSTEMI
can be ruled out at presentation if the hs-cTn concentration is very low. NSTEMI can also be ruled out by the combination of low baseline levels and the
lack of a relevant increase within 1 h (no 1hD). Patients have a high likelihood of NSTEMI if the hs-cTn concentration at presentation is at least moderately
elevated or hs-cTn concentrations show a clear rise within the first hour (1hD).1,68,1013,2931,33 Cut-offs are assay specific (see Table 3) and derived to
meet predefined criteria for sensitivity and specificity for NSTEMI. CCU = coronary care unit; CCTA = coronary computed tomography angiography;
CPO = chest pain onset; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; NSTEMI = non-
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. aOnly applicable if CPO >3 h. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
..
derived and well-validated in large multicentre diagnostic studies .. presentation.33,35,36,39,68,69,75,76 The cut-off concentrations within the
using central adjudication of the final diagnosis for all currently avail- .. 0 h/1 h and 0 h/2 h algorithms are assay specific
..
able hs-cTn assays.33,35,36,39,6769 Optimal thresholds for rule-out .. (Table 5).33,35,36,39,68,69,75,76 The NPV for MI in patients assigned ‘rule-
were selected to allow for a minimal sensitivity and NPV of 99%. .. out’ exceeded 99% in several large validation cohorts.35,36,39,68,69,77
..
Optimal thresholds for rule-in were selected to allow for a minimal .. Used in conjunction with clinical and ECG findings, the 0 h/1 h and 0
positive predictive value (PPV) of 70%. The algorithms were devel- .. h/2 h algorithm will allow the identification of appropriate candidates
..
oped in large derivation cohorts and then validated in large independ- .. for early discharge and outpatient management. Even after the rule-
ent validation cohorts. As an alternative, the previous European .. out of MI, elective non-invasive or invasive imaging may be indicated
..
Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0 h/3 h algorithm70 should be consid- .. according to clinical assessment. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA)
ered.1 However, three recent large diagnostic studies have suggested .. will still be the best option in patients with very high clinical likelihood
that the ESC 0 h/3 h algorithm seems to balance efficacy and safety ... of unstable angina, even after NSTEMI has been ruled out. In contrast,
..
less well in comparison to more rapid protocols using lower rule-out .. stress testing with imaging or coronary computed tomography
concentrations including the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm.7173 Moreover,
.. angiography (CCTA) will be the best option in patients with low-to-
..
the very high safety and high efficacy of applying the ESC 0 h/1 h algo- .. modest clinical likelihood of unstable angina. No testing is necessary
rithm has recently been confirmed in three real-life implementation
.. in patients with a clear alternative diagnosis.
..
studies, including one randomized controlled trial (RCT) .66,73,74 .. The PPV for MI in patients meeting the ‘rule-in’ criteria is about
The 0 h/1 h and 0 h/2 h algorithms rely on two concepts: first, hs-
.. 7075%.35,36,39,69 Most of the ‘rule-in’ patients with diagnoses other
..
cTn is a continuous variable and the probability of MI increases with .. than MI did have conditions that usually still require ICA or cardiac
increasing hs-cTn values,35,36,39,68,69,75,76 second, early absolute
.. magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for accurate diagnosis, including
..
changes of the levels within 1 h or 2 h can be used as surrogates .. Takotsubo syndrome and myocarditis.35,36,39,68,69,75,76 Therefore, the
..
for absolute changes over 3 h or 6 h and provide incremental .. vast majority of patients triaged towards the rule-in group are candi-
diagnostic value to the cardiac troponin assessment at .. dates for early ICA and admission to a coronary care unit (CCU).
ESC Guidelines 15
Table 5 Assay specific cut-off levels in ng/l within the 0 h/1 h and 0 h/2 h algorithms
0 h/1 h algorithm Very low Low No 1hD High 1hD

hs-cTn T (Elecsys; Roche) <5 <12 <3 >_52 >_5
hs-cTn I (Architect; Abbott) <4 <5 <2 >_64 >_6
hs-cTn I (Centaur; Siemens) <3 <6 <3 >_120 >_12
hs-cTn I (Access; Beckman Coulter) <4 <5 <4 >_50 >_15

hs-cTn I (Clarity; Singulex) <1 <2 <1 >_30 >_6
hs-cTn I (Vitros; Clinical Diagnostics) <1 <2 <1 >_40 >_4
hs-cTn I (Pathfast; LSI Medience) <3 <4 <3 >_90 >_20
hs-cTn I (TriageTrue; Quidel) <4 <5 <3 >_60 >_8
0 h/2 h algorithm Very low Low No 2hD High 2hD
hs-cTn T (Elecsys; Roche) <5 <14 <4 >_52 >_10
hs-cTn I (Architect; Abbott) <4 <6 <2 >_64 >_15
hs-cTn I (Centaur; Siemens) <3 <8 <7 >_120 >_20
hs-cTn I (Access; Beckman Coulter) <4 <5 <5 >_50 >_20
hs-cTn I (Clarity; Singulex) <1 TBD TBD >_30 TBD
hs-cTn I (Vitros; Clinical Diagnostics) <1 TBD TBD >_40 TBD
hs-cTn I (Pathfast; LSI Medience) <3 TBD TBD >_90 TBD
hs-cTn I (TriageTrue; Quidel) <4 TBD TBD >_60 TBD
These cut-offs apply irrespective of age and renal function. Optimized cut-offs for patients above 75 years of age and patients with renal dysfunction have been evaluated, but
not consistently shown to provide better balance between safety and efficacy as compared to these universal cut-offs.35,36,69 The algorithms for additional assays are in
development.
hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; TBD = to be determined.3537,39,40,68,69,7584
..
These algorithms should always be integrated with a detailed clini- .. ii. The ESC 0 h/1h and 0 h/2 h algorithms apply to all patients irrespec-
cal assessment and 12-lead ECG, and repeat blood sampling is man- .. tive of chest pain onset. The safety (as quantified by the NPV) and
..
datory in case of ongoing or recurrent chest pain. .. sensitivity are very high (>99%), including in the subgroup of patients
The same concept applies to the 0 h/2 h algorithm. Cut-off levels .. presenting very early (e.g. <2 h).69 However, due to the time depend-
..
are assay-specific and shown in Table 5. Cut-off levels for other hs- .. ency of troponin release and the only moderate number of patients
cTn assays are in development.
.. presenting <1 h after chest pain onset in previous studies, obtaining
..
.. an additional cardiac troponin concentration at 3 h in patients pre-
.. senting <1 h and triaged towards rule-out should be considered.
3.3.4 Observe ..
.. iii. As late increases in cardiac troponin have been described in 1% of
Patients who do not qualify for ‘rule-out’ or ‘rule-in’, are assigned to .. patients, serial cardiac troponin testing should be pursued if the clini-
observe. They represent a heterogeneous group that usually requires ..
.. cal suspicion remains high or whenever the patient develops recur-
a third measurement of cardiac troponin at 3 h and echocardiography .. rent chest pain.35,36,39,68,69,75,76,86
as the next steps.85 ICA should be considered in patients for whom ..
..
there is a high degree of clinical suspicion of NSTE-ACS (e.g. relevant ..
.. 3.3.4.2 Confounders of cardiac troponin concentration. In patients pre-
increase in cardiac troponin from presentation to 3 h), while in patients
.. senting with suspected NSTE-ACS, beyond the presence or
with low-to-intermediate likelihood for this condition according to ..
clinical judgment, non-invasive imaging using CCTA or stress testing .. absence of MI, four clinical variables affect hs-cTn
.. concentrations:35,36,39,69,79,8793
[stress echocardiography, positron emission tomography, single- ..
photon-emission tomography (SPECT), or CMR for the detection of ... i. Age (to a large extent as a surrogate for pre-existing cardiac disease).
ACS features (oedema, late gadolinium enhancement, perfusion defect, ..
.. ii. Renal dysfunction (to a large extent as a surrogate for pre-existing
etc.)] should be considered after discharge from the emergency .. cardiac disease).
department to the ward. No further diagnostic testing is indicated ..
.. iii. Time from chest pain onset.
when alternative conditions, such as rapid ventricular rate response to .. iv. Sex.
atrial fibrillation (AF) or hypertensive emergency, have been identified.
..
.. The effect of age (differences in concentration between healthy very
..
3.3.4.1 Caveats of using rapid algorithms. When using any algorithm,
.. young vs. healthy very old individuals up to 300%), renal dysfunction
.. (differences in concentration between otherwise healthy patients
three main caveats apply ..
.. with very high vs. very low eGFR up to 300%), and chest
i. Algorithms should only be used in conjunction with all available clini-
.. pain onset (>300%) is substantial, and modest for sex
..
cal information, including detailed assessment of chest pain character- .. (40%).11,35,36,39,69,79,8893 Until information technology tools that
istics and ECG.
.. allow the incorporation of the effect of all four variables are available,
16 ESC Guidelines
the use of uniform cut-off concentrations should remain the standard .. further increases patient safety. Documentation of the time of the 0 h
..
of care in the early diagnosis of MI.35,36,39,68,69,75,76 .. blood draw allows exact determination of the time window
.. (± 10 min) of the 1 h blood draw. If the 1 h (± 10 min) blood draw
..
3.3.4.3 Practical guidance on how to implement the European Society of .. was not feasible, then blood should be drawn at 2 h and the ESC
Cardiology 0 h/1 h algorithm
.. 0 h/2 h algorithm applied.
..
In order to maximize the safety and feasibility of the process, the ..
nursing team should, in general, obtain blood samples for hs-cTn at
.. 3.3.4.4 Avoiding misunderstandings: time to decision ¼ time of blood
..
0 h and 1 h irrespective of other clinical details and pending results. .. draw þ turn-around time
..

This introduces unnecessary cardiac troponin measurements in per- .. The use of the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm is irrespective of the local turn-
haps 1015% of patients with very low 0 h concentrations and chest .. around time. 0 h and 1 h refer to the time point at which blood is
..
pain onset >3 h, but substantially facilitates the process and thereby . taken (Figure 4).
©ESC 2020
Figure 4 Timing of the blood draws and clinical decisions when using the European Society of Cardiology 0 h/1 h algorithm. 0 h and 1 h refer to the time
points at which blood is taken. The turn-around time is the time period from blood draw to reporting back the results to the clinician. It is usually about
1 h using an automated platform in the central laboratory. It includes transport of the blood tube to the lab, scanning of the probe, centrifugation, putting
plasma on the automated platform, the analysis itself, and the reporting of the test result to the hospital information technology/electronic patient record.
The turn-around time is identical whether using a hs-cTn assay vs. a conventional assay, as long as both are run on an automated platform. Adding the local
turn-around time to the time of blood draw determines the earliest time point for clinical decision making based on hs-cTn concentrations. e.g. for the 0 h
time point, time to decision is at 1 h if the local turn-around time is 1 h. For the blood drawn at 1 h, the results are reported back at 2 h (1 h þ 1 h) if the
local turn-around time is 1 h. Relevant 1 h changes are assay dependent and listed in Table 3. CPO = chest pain onset; CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscita-
tion; ECG = electrocardiogram/electrocardiography; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; MACE = major adverse cardiovascular events; MI = myo-
cardial infarction. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
ESC Guidelines 17
..
The clinical and economic benefit of the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm vs. .. study is associated with an excellent outcome.106,107 Stressrest
the ESC 0 h/3 h algorithm or other algorithms with the second blood .. imaging modalities are usually not widely available on 24 h service
..
draw later than 1 h is therefore independent of the local turn-around .. and some (e.g. SPECT) are associated with substantial radiation
time.61 .. exposure.
..
..
.. 3.3.5.2 Anatomical evaluation
..
3.3.5 Non-invasive imaging .. CCTA allows visualization of the coronary arteries and a normal scan
3.3.5.1 Functional evaluation .. excludes CAD. CCTA has a high NPV to exclude ACS (by excluding
..

Transthoracic echocardiography should be routinely available in emer- .. CAD) and an excellent outcome in patients presenting to the emer-
gency rooms and chest pain units and performed/interpreted by .. gency department with low-to-intermediate pre-test probability for
..
trained physicians in all patients during hospitalization for NSTE-ACS. .. ACS and a normal CCTA.108 Seven RCTs have tested CCTA vs.
This imaging modality is useful to identify abnormalities suggestive of
.. usual care in the triage of low-to-intermediate-risk patients present-
..
myocardial ischaemia or necrosis (i.e. segmental hypokinesia or akine- .. ing with acute chest pain to emergency departments without signs of
sia). In the absence of significant wall motion abnormalities, impaired
.. ischaemia on ECG and normal cardiac troponins.109 However, the
..
myocardial perfusion detected by contrast echocardiography or .. majority of studies used only conventional, less sensitive
reduced regional function using strain and strain rate imaging might
.. assays.110113 At a follow-up of 16 months, there were no deaths,
..
improve the diagnostic and prognostic value of conventional .. and a meta-analysis demonstrated comparable outcomes with the
..
echocardiography.9496 Moreover, echocardiography can help in .. two approaches (i.e. no difference in the incidence of MI, post-
detecting alternative pathologies associated with chest pain, such as .. discharge emergency department visits, or re-hospitalizations) and
.. showed that CCTA was associated with a reduction in emergency
acute aortic dissection, pericardial effusion, aortic valve stenosis, hyper- ..
trophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse, or right ventricular dila- .. department costs and length of stay.114 However, none of these stud-
..
tation suggestive of acute pulmonary embolism. Similarly, .. ies used hs-cTn assays, which also reduce hospital stay. In a random-
echocardiography is the diagnostic tool of choice for patients with hae- .. ized study, in which the standard of care included hs-cTn, CCTA was
..
modynamic instability of suspected cardiac origin.96,97 Evaluation of left .. no longer able to improve patient flow.115 It was also noted that
ventricular (LV) systolic function, at the latest by the time of hospital .. CCTA was associated with an increase in the use of invasive angiogra-
..
discharge, is important to estimate prognosis, and echocardiography .. phy.114 In contrast, in a recent randomized trial of unclear NSTEMI
(as well as other imaging modalities) can provide this information. .. diagnosis, upfront imaging with CCTA reduced the need for ICA105
..
In patients without ischaemic changes on 12-lead ECGs and normal .. Similar results were observed in a sub-analysis of the Very EaRly vs
hs-cTn, who are free from chest pain for several hours, stress imaging .. Deferred Invasive evaluation using Computerized Tomography
..
can be performed during hospitalization or shortly after discharge. .. (VERDICT) trial, where upfront CCTA in NSTE-ACS patients had an
Stress imaging is preferred over exercise ECG due to its greater diag- .. NPV of 90.9%.116 However, a relatively large patient group had to be
..
nostic accuracy.98 Various studies have shown that normal exercise or .. excluded for specific reasons and an NPV of 90.9% is not entirely per-
dobutamine or dipyridamole stress echocardiograms have high NPV
.. fect.116 Accordingly, CCTA can be used to exclude CAD and is thus
..
for ischaemia and are associated with excellent patient outcomes.99,100 .. less useful in patients with known CAD. Other factors limiting CCTA
Moreover, stress echocardiography has demonstrated superior prog-
.. include severe calcifications (high calcium score) and elevated or
..
nostic value over exercise ECG.101 If the acoustic window is not .. irregular heart rate; in addition, a 24 h service is currently not widely
adequate to assess regional wall motion abnormalities, the use of echo-
.. available. Finally, the use of CCTA in the acute setting in patients with
..
cardiographic contrast is recommended to improve the accuracy of .. stents or previous CABG has not been validated. Importantly, com-
such an assessment and facilitate the detection of ischaemia.98,101103
.. puted tomography (CT) imaging can effectively exclude other causes
..
CMR can assess both perfusion and wall motion abnormalities, and .. of acute chest pain that, if untreated, are associated with high mortal-
.. ity, namely pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection.
patients presenting with acute chest pain with a normal stress CMR ..
have an excellent short- and mid-term prognosis.104 Additionally, ..
..
CMR permits detection of scar tissue (using late gadolinium enhance- ..
ment) and can differentiate this from recent infarction (using T2- ..
..
3.4 Differential diagnosis
weighted imaging to delineate myocardial oedema).98 Moreover, ..
.. Among unselected patients presenting with acute chest pain to the
CMR can facilitate the differential diagnosis between infarction, myo-
.. emergency department, disease prevalence can be expected to be
carditis, or Takotsubo syndrome, among others.98 In a recent ..
.. the following: 510% STEMI, 1520% NSTEMI, 10% unstable
randomized trial in patients with unclear NSTEMI diagnosis, upfront
.. angina, 15% other cardiac conditions, and 50% non-cardiac dis-
imaging with CMR reduced the need for ICA and provided an alter- ..
.. eases.35,36,39,69,79,8793 Several cardiac and non-cardiac conditions
native diagnosis in a relevant proportion of patients.105 .. may mimic NSTE-ACS (Table 6).
Similarly, SPECT has been shown to be useful for the risk stratifica- ..
tion of patients with acute chest pain suggestive of ACS. Resting myo- .. Conditions that should always be considered in the differential
.. diagnosis of NSTE-ACS because they are potentially life-threatening
cardial scintigraphy, by detecting fixed perfusion defects suggestive of ..
myocardial necrosis, can be helpful for the initial triage of patients .. but also treatable include aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, and
.. tension pneumothorax. Echocardiography should be performed
presenting with chest pain without ECG changes or elevated cardiac ..
troponins.98 Combined stressrest imaging and/or stress-only imag-
.. urgently in all patients with haemodynamic instability of suspected
.. cardiovascular origin. Takotsubo syndrome has recently been
ing may further enhance assessment of ischaemia, while a normal .
18 ESC Guidelines
Table 6 Differential diagnoses of acute coronary syndromes in the setting of acute chest pain
Cardiac Pulmonary Vascular Gastro-intestinal Orthopaedic Other
Myopericarditis Pulmonary Aortic dissection Oesophagitis, Musculoskeletal Anxiety
embolism reflux, or spasm disorders disorders
Cardiomyopathiesa (Tension)- Symptomatic aortic Peptic ulcer, gastritis Chest trauma Herpes zoster
pneumothorax aneurysm
Tachyarrhythmias Bronchitis, pneumonia Stroke Pancreatitis Muscle injury/inflammation Anaemia

Acute heart failure Pleuritis Cholecystitis Costochondritis
Hypertensive emergencies Cervical spine pathologies
Aortic valve stenosis
Takotsubo syndrome
Coronary spasm
Cardiac trauma
Bold = common and/or important differential diagnoses.
a
Dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathies may cause angina or chest discomfort.
observed more often as a differential diagnosis and usually requires

.. concentrations). The majority of patients presenting to the emer-
..
coronary angiography to rule out ACS.117 .. gency department with acute chest pain have non-cardiac condi-
Chest X-ray is recommended in all patients in whom NSTE-
.. tions causing the chest discomfort.35,36,39,69,79,8793 In many
..
ACS is considered unlikely in order to detect pneumonia, pneu- .. instances, the pain is musculoskeletal and is therefore benign, self-
..
mothorax, rib fractures, or other thoracic disorders. Stroke may .. limiting, and does not require hospitalization. Chest pain charac-
be accompanied by ECG changes, myocardial wall motion abnor- .. teristics help to some extent in the early identification of
..
malities, and cardiomyocyte injury (= increase in cardiac troponin . these patients.
Recommendations for diagnosis, risk stratification, imaging, and rhythm monitoring in patients with suspected non-ST-
segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Recommendations Classa Levelb
Diagnosis and risk stratification

It is recommended to base diagnosis and initial short-term risk stratification on a combination of clinical history, symptoms,
I B
vital signs, other physical findings, ECG, and laboratory results including hs-cTn.3
It is recommended to measure cardiac troponins with high-sensitivity assays immediately after admission and obtain the
I B
results within 60 min of blood sampling.3,1013,2931,34
It is recommended to obtain a 12-lead ECG within 10 min after first medical contact and to have it immediately interpreted
I B
by an experienced physician.21
It is recommended to obtain an additional 12-lead ECG in case of recurrent symptoms or diagnostic uncertainty. I C
The ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm with blood sampling at 0 h and 1 h is recommended if an hs-cTn test with a validated 0 h/1 h
I B
algorithm is available.30,33,35,36,39,68,69,75,76
Additional testing after 3 h is recommended if the first two cardiac troponin measurements of the 0 h/1 h algorithm are not
I B
conclusive and the clinical condition is still suggestive of ACS.85
As an alternative to the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm, it is recommended to use the ESC 0 h/2 h algorithm with blood sampling at 0
I B
h and 2 h, if an hs-cTn test with a validated 0 h/2 h algorithm is available.33,39,75,78,84
Additional ECG leads (V3R, V4R, V7V9) are recommended if ongoing ischaemia is suspected when standard leads are
I C
inconclusive.
As an alternative to the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm, a rapid rule-out and rule-in protocol with blood sampling at 0 h and 3 h should
IIa B
be considered, if a high-sensitivity (or sensitive) cardiac troponin test with a validated 0 h/3 h algorithm is available.7073
It should be considered to use established risk scores for prognosis estimation. IIa C
For initial diagnostic purposes, it is not recommended to routinely measure additional biomarkers such as h-FABP or copep-
III B
tin, in addition to hs-cTn.47,48,51,52,54,118
Continued
ESC Guidelines 19
Imaging
In patients presenting with cardiac arrest or haemodynamic instability of presumed cardiovascular origin, echocardiography is
I C
recommended and should be performed by trained physicians immediately following a 12-lead ECG.
In patients with no recurrence of chest pain, normal ECG findings, and normal levels of cardiac troponin (preferably high sensitiv-
ity), but still with a suspected ACS, a non-invasive stress test (preferably with imaging) for inducible ischaemia or CCTA is recom- I B
mended before deciding on an invasive approach.91,92,98,101,105108
Echocardiography is recommended to evaluate regional and global LV function and to rule in or rule out differential
I C
diagnoses.c

CCTA is recommended as an alternative to ICA to exclude ACS when there is a low-to-intermediate likelihood of CAD and
I A
when cardiac troponin and/or ECG are normal or inconclusive.105,108,110114
Monitoring
Continuous rhythm monitoring is recommended until the diagnosis of NSTEMI has been established or ruled out. I C
It is recommended to admit NSTEMI patients to a monitored unit. I C
Rhythm monitoring up to 24 h or to PCI (whichever comes first) is recommended in NSTEMI patients at low risk for cardiac
I C
arrhythmias.d
Rhythm monitoring for >24 h is recommended in NSTEMI patients at increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias.e I C
In the absence of signs or symptoms of ongoing ischaemia, rhythm monitoring in unstable angina may be considered in
IIb C
selected patients (e.g. suspicion of coronary spasm or associated symptoms suggestive of arrhythmic events).
0 h = time of first blood test; 1 h, 2 h, 3 h = 1, 2, or 3 h after the first blood test.

ACS = acute coronary syndromes; CAD = coronary artery disease; CCTA = coronary computed tomography angiography; ECG = electrocardiogram/electrocardiography;
ESC = European Society of Cardiology; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; h-FABP = heart-type fatty acid-binding protein; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac
troponin; ICA = invasive coronary angiography; LV = left ventricular; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; PCI =
percutaneous coronary intervention.
a
Class of recommendation.
b
Level of evidence.
c
Does not apply to patients discharged the same day in whom NSTEMI has been ruled out.
d
If none of the following criteria: haemodynamically unstable, major arrhythmias, LVEF <40%, failed reperfusion, additional critical coronary stenoses of major vessels, complica-
tions related to percutaneous revascularization, or GRACE risk score >140 if assessed.
e
If one or more of the above criteria are present.
..
4 Risk assessment and outcomes .. confirmation in randomized trials and has not been tested in NSTE-
.. ACS patients so far. Similarly, natriuretic peptides provide prognostic
..
4.1 Electrocardiogram indicators .. information on top of cardiac troponin.121,125,126 Other biomarkers,
.. such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, mid-regional pro-adreno-
(Supplementary Data) ..
.. medullin, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty
.. acid-binding protein (h-FABP), and copeptin may also have some
4.2 Biomarkers ..
.. prognostic value.50,118,127132 However, the assessment of these
Beyond diagnostic utility, initial cardiac troponin levels add prognostic .. markers has, so far, not been shown to improve patient management
information in terms of short- and long-term mortality to clinical and
..
.. and their added value in risk assessment on top of the GRACE risk
ECG variables. While hs-cTn T and I have comparable diagnostic .. calculation and/or BNP/NT-proBNP seems marginal. At the present
..
accuracy, hs-cTn T has greater prognostic accuracy.38,119 Serial meas- .. time, the routine use of these biomarkers for prognostic purposes is
urements are useful to identify peak levels of cardiac troponin for risk .. not recommended.
..
stratification purposes in patients with established MI. The higher the ..
hs-cTn levels, the greater the risk of death.12,76,120 However, evi- ..
.. 4.3 Clinical scores for risk assessment
dence is limited regarding the optimal time points of serial hs-cTn ..
measurement. Serum creatinine and eGFR should also be deter- .. (Supplementary Data)
..
mined in all patients with NSTE-ACS because they affect prognosis .. A number of prognostic models that aim to estimate the future
and are key elements of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary .. risk of all-cause mortality or the combined risk of all-cause mortal-
..
Events (GRACE) risk score (see section 4.3). Similarly, natriuretic pep- .. ity or MI have been developed. These models have been formu-
tides [BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP)] provide prog- .. lated into clinical risk scores and, among these, the GRACE risk
..
nostic information regarding the risk of death, acute heart failure, as .. score offers the best discriminative performance.133135 It is
well as the development of AF in addition to cardiac troponin.121 In .. important to recognize, however, that there are several GRACE
..
addition, quantifying the presence and severity of haemodynamic .. risk scores, and each refers to different patient groups and pre-
stress and heart failure using BNP or NT-proBNP concentrations in .. dicts different outcomes.136139 The GRACE risk score models
..
patients with left main CAD or three-vessel CAD without NSTE- .. have been externally validated using observational data.140
ACS may help the heart team to select either PCI or CABG as the
.. Further information concerning the GRACE risk scores is pre-
..
revascularization strategy of choice.122124 However, this needs . sented in Supplementary Data section 4.3, Supplementary Table 1,
20 ESC Guidelines
..
and Supplementary Figure 3. The nomogram to calculate the origi- .. 4.4 Bleeding risk assessment
nal GRACE risk score, which estimates the risk of in-hospital ..
.. Major bleeding events are associated with increased mortality in
death, is shown in Supplementary Figure 3 and online risk calcula- .. NSTE-ACS.157 In order to estimate bleeding risk in this setting,
tors are available for other GRACE risk scores: https://www.out ..
.. scores such as the Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina
comes-umassmed.org/risk_models_grace_orig.aspx for the .. patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation
GRACE risk score 1.0 and www.outcomes-umassmed.org/grace/ ..
.. of the ACC/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines
acs_risk2/index.html for the GRACE risk score 2.0. .. (CRUSADE; https://www.mdcalc.com/crusade-score-post-mi-
Given that the GRACE risk score predicts clinical outcomes, it is ..
.. bleeding-risk) and the Acute Catheterization and Urgent

possible to stratify patients according to their estimated risk of .. Intervention Triage strategY (ACUITY) bleeding risk scores have
future ischaemic events. A GRACE risk score-based risk assess- ..
.. been developed. Overall, the two scores have reasonable predic-
ment has been found to be superior to (subjective) physician .. tive value for major bleeding in ACS patients undergoing coronary
assessment for the occurrence of death or MI.141,142 Moreover, it is
..
.. angiography, with CRUSADE being the most discriminatory.155157
well recognized that the delivery of guideline-directed care is inver- .. Changes in interventional practice, such as the use of radial access
sely related to the estimated risk of the patient with NSTE-ACS143
..
.. for coronary angiography and PCI, as well as in antithrombotic
the so called ‘risk-treatment paradox’.144,145 Guideline-directed .. treatment, may modify the predictive value of risk scores. In addi-
care is associated with proportionally greater survival gains among
..
.. tion, in medically treated patients or those on oral anticoagulants
those with higher baseline risk, therefore objective risk assessment .. (OACs), the predictive value of these scores has not been estab-
..
may help to identify NSTE-ACS patients who would benefit from .. lished. Given these limitations, the use of the CRUSADE bleeding
risk-determined care interventions.144,145 The Australian GRACE .. risk score may be considered in patients undergoing coronary
..
Risk score Intervention Study (AGRIS)146 and the ongoing UK .. angiography to quantify bleeding risk.
GRACE Risk score Intervention Study (UKGRIS)147 have or are .. An alternative to these scores may be the assessment of bleeding
..
for the first time investigating the impact of the utilization of the .. risk according to the Academic Research Consortium for High
GRACE risk score on outcomes of patients with NSTE-ACS in a ..
.. Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) (Table 7).158 This consensus definition of
randomized manner. The AGRIS cluster-randomized trial failed to .. patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) was recently developed to pro-
demonstrate any add-on value, especially for the guideline-directed ..
.. vide consistency for clinical trials evaluating the safety and effective-
treatments with the routine implementation of the GRACE risk .. ness of devices and drug regimens for patients undergoing PCI.158
score. This was largely explained by better-than-expected perform- ..
.. This proposed ARC-HBR represents a pragmatic approach that
ance of the control hospitals. Given temporal improvements in .. includes the most recent trials performed in HBR patients, who were
early mortality from NSTE-ACS,148 the prediction of long-term risk ..
.. previously excluded from clinical trials of dual antiplatelet therapy
is important. Deaths in the early phase following NSTE-ACS are .. (DAPT) duration or intensity (Table 7).159161 However, bleeding
more attributable to ischaemia/thrombosis-related events, whereas ..
.. risk assessment based on ARC-HBR criteria may be difficult to apply
in the later phase they are more likely to be associated with the .. in routine clinical practice as several of the criteria are quite detailed
progression of atherosclerosis and non-cardiovascular
..
.. and so far, this score has not been validated.
causes.149152 .
Recommendations on biomarker measurements for prognostic stratification
Beyond its diagnostic role, it is recommended to measure hs-cTn serially for the estimation of prognosis.12,13,119,120 I B
121,125,126
Measuring BNP or NT-proBNP plasma concentrations should be considered to gain prognostic information. IIa B
The measurement of additional biomarkers, such as mid-regional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity
C-reactive protein, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, GDF-15, copeptin, and h-FABP is not recommended for III B
routine risk or prognosis assessment.50,127,129
Score to risk stratify in NSTE-ACS
GRACE risk score models should be considered for estimating prognosis.137139 IIa B
153,154
The use of risk scores designed to evaluate the benefits and risks of different DAPT durations may be considered. IIb A
To estimate bleeding risk, the use of scores may be considered in patients undergoing coronary angiography.155,156 IIb B
BNP = B-type natriuretic peptide; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; GDF-15 = growth differentiation factor 15; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; h-FABP
= heart-type fatty acid-binding protein; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; NT-proBNP = N-terminal
pro-B-type natriuretic peptide.
a
b
Level of evidence.
ESC Guidelines 21
Table 7 Major and minor criteria for high bleeding risk according to the Academic Research Consortium for High
Bleeding Risk at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention (bleeding risk is high if at least one major or two minor
criteria are met)
Major Minor
• Anticipated use of long-term OACa • Age >_ 75 years
• Severe or end-stage CKD (eGFR <30 mL/min) • Moderate CKD (eGFR 3059 mL/min)
• Haemoglobin <11 g/dL • Haemoglobin 1112.9 g/dL for men or 1111.9 g/dL for women

• Spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization and/or • Spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization and/or
transfusion in the past 6 months or at any time, if recurrent transfusion within the past 12 months not meeting the major criterion
• Moderate or severe baseline thrombocytopeniab • Chronic use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids
(platelet count <100 109/L)
• Chronic bleeding diathesis • Any ischaemic stroke at any time not meeting the major criterion
• Liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension
• Active malignancyc (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
within the past 12 months
• Previous spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (at any time)
• Previous traumatic intracranial haemorrhage within the past 12 months
• Presence of a brain arteriovenous malformation
• Moderate or severe ischaemic stroked within the past 6 months
• Recent major surgery or major trauma within 30 days prior to PCI
• Non-deferrable major surgery on DAPT
CKD = chronic kidney disease; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; OAC = oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant; PCI = percutaneous
coronary intervention.
a
This excludes vascular protection doses.162
b
Baseline thrombocytopenia is defined as thrombocytopenia before PCI.
c
Active malignancy is defined as diagnosis within 12 months and/or ongoing requirement for treatment (including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy).
d
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >5.
..
4.5 Integrating ischaemic and bleeding .. composite ischaemic endpoint of MI, definite stent thrombosis,
.. stroke, and target vessel revascularization. The findings remained
risks ..
Major bleeding events affect prognosis in a similar way to sponta- .. valid in analyses restricted to ACS. However, for the majority of
.. patients in the study, DAPT consisted of aspirin and clopidogrel.
neous ischaemic complications.163,164 Given the trade-off between ..
ischaemic vs. bleeding risks for any antithrombotic regimen, the .. An external validation of the PRECISE-DAPT score in 4424
.. ACS patients undergoing PCI and treated with prasugrel or tica-
use of scores might prove useful to tailor antithrombotic duration, ..
as well as intensity, to maximize ischaemic protection and mini-
.. grelor showed a modest predictive value for major bleeding at a
.. median follow-up of 14 months (c-statistic = 0.653).165 In addition,
mize bleeding risk in the individual patient. Specific risk scores have ..
been developed for patients on DAPT following PCI, in the setting
.. none of these risk prediction models have been prospectively
.. tested in RCTs, therefore, their value in improving patient out-
of both CCS as well as ACS. To date, no risk score has been tested ..
in patients requiring long-term anticoagulation. The DAPT and the
.. comes remains unclear. The DAPT study has been less well vali-
.. dated, with a retrospective analysis in 1970 patients and a score
PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent ..
implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy
.. calculation at a different time point (6 vs. 12 months) than in the
.. derivation cohort used to generate the score.166
(PRECISE-DAPT) scores have been designed to guide and inform ..
..
decision making on DAPT duration.153,154 The applicability of the
...
PRECISE-DAPT score is at patient discharge, while the DAPT .. 5 Pharmacological treatments
score is a bleeding risk estimation to be calculated at 1 year from ..
..
the index event. The usefulness of the PRECISE-DAPT score was .. 5.1 Antithrombotic treatment
retrospectively assessed within patients randomized to different ..
.. Antithrombotic treatment is mandatory in NSTE-ACS patients with
DAPT durations (n = 10 081) to identify the effect on bleeding and .. and without invasive management. Its choice, the combination, the
ischaemia of a long (1224 months) or short (36 months) treat- ..
.. time point of initiation, and the treatment duration depend on vari-
ment duration in relation to baseline bleeding risk.154 Among HBR .. ous intrinsic and extrinsic (procedural) factors (Figure 5). Notably,
patients based on PRECISE-DAPT (i.e. PRECISE-DAPT score ..
.. both ischaemic and bleeding complications significantly influence the
>_25), prolonged DAPT was associated with no ischaemic benefit .. outcome of NSTE-ACS patients and their overall mortality risk.167
but a large bleeding burden.154 Conversely, longer treatment in ..
.. Thus, the choice of treatment should equally reflect the ischaemic
patients without HBR (i.e. PRECISE-DAPT score <25) was associ- .. and bleeding risk of the patient.
ated with no increase in bleeding and a significant reduction in the ..
22 ESC Guidelines

©ESC 2020
Figure 5 Determinants of antithrombotic treatment in coronary artery disease. Intrinsic (in blue: patient’s characteristics, clinical presentation & comor-
bidities) and extrinsic (in yellow: co-medication & procedural aspects) variables influencing the choice, dosing, and duration of antithrombotic treatment.
ACS = acute coronary syndromes; CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CCS = chronic coronary syndromes; CKD = chronic kidney disease;
NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; PAD = peripheral artery disease; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; STEMI =
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
©ESC 2020
Figure 6 Antithrombotic treatments in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients: pharmacological targets. Drugs with oral adminis-
tration are shown in black letters and drugs with preferred parenteral administration in red. Abciximab (in brackets) is not supplied anymore. ADP =
adenosine diphosphate; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; FXa = factor Xa; GP = glycoprotein; TxA2 = thromboxane A2; UFH = unfractionated heparin;
VKA = vitamin K antagonist.
ESC Guidelines 23
Table 8 Dose regimen of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
patientsa
I. Antiplatelet drugs
Aspirin LD of 150300 mg orally or 75250 mg i.v. if oral ingestion is not possible, followed by oral MD of 75100 mg o.d.
P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (oral or i.v.)
Clopidogrel LD of 300600 mg orally, followed by a MD of 75 mg o.d., no specific dose adjustment in CKD patients.
Prasugrel LD of 60 mg orally, followed by a MD of 10 mg o.d. In patients with body weight <60 kg, a MD of 5 mg o.d. is recommended.

In patients aged >_75 years, prasugrel should be used with caution, but a dose of 5 mg o.d. should be used if treatment is
deemed necessary. No specific dose adjustment in CKD patients. Prior stroke is a contraindication for prasugrel.
Ticagrelor LD of 180 mg orally, followed by a MD of 90 mg b.i.d., no specific dose adjustment in CKD patients.
Cangrelor Bolus of 30 mg/kg i.v. followed by 4 mg/kg/min infusion for at least 2 h or the duration of the procedure (whichever is longer).
GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (i.v.)
Abciximab Bolus of 0.25 mg/kg i.v. and 0.125 lg/kg/min infusion (maximum 10 lg/min) for 12 h (drug is not supplied anymore).
Eptifibatide Double bolus of 180 lg/kg i.v. (given at a 10-min interval) followed by an infusion of 2.0 lg/kg/min for up to18 h.
Tirofiban Bolus of 25 lg/kg i.v. over 3 min, followed by an infusion of 0.15 lg/kg/min for up to 18 h.
II. Anticoagulant drugs (for use before and during PCI)
UFH 70100 U/kg i.v. bolus when no GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor is planned. 5070 U/kg i.v. bolus with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Enoxaparin 0.5 mg/kg i.v. bolus.
Bivalirudin 0.75 mg/kg i.v. bolus followed by i.v. infusion of 1.75 mg/kg/h for up to 4 h after the procedure as clinically warranted.
Fondaparinux 2.5 mg/d subcutaneously (only before PCI).
III. Oral anticoagulant drugsb
Rivaroxaban Very low MD of 2.5 mg b.i.d. (in combination with aspirin) for long-term extended antithrombotic treatment in a
secondary prevention setting of CAD patients.
AF = atrial fibrillation; b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); CAD = coronary artery disease; CKD = chronic kidney disease; GP = glycoprotein; i.v. = intravenous; MD = maintenance
dose; LD = loading dose; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; OAC = oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant; o.d. = once daily; PCI = percutaneous coronary
intervention; UFH = unfractionated heparin; VKA = vitamin K antagonist.
a
All dosing regimens refer to doses given for the respective drugs for protection against thrombosis within the arterial system.
b
Section III lists the dosing for rivaroxaban in a secondary prevention setting in CAD patients. For a comprehensive summary on dosing of OACs (NOACs and VKAs) in a set-
ting of full-dose anticoagulation please see: The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of NOACs in patients with AF.168
.. Infarction 38 (TRITON-TIMI 38) trials,170,171 DAPT including aspirin

Recommended anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs and their dos- ..
.. and a potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor (ticagrelor or prasugrel) is the
ing (for use during and after NSTE-ACS) are summarized in Figure 6 .. recommended standard treatment for NSTE-ACS patients.
and Table 8. ..
.. Clopidogrel, characterized by less potent and variable platelet inhibi-
.. tion,172,173 should only be used when prasugrel or ticagrelor are con-
..
5.1.1 Antiplatelet drugs and pre-treatment .. traindicated, not available, or cannot be tolerated due to an
.. unacceptable HBR. P2Y12 receptor inhibitors differ with respect to
5.1.1.1 Antiplatelet drugs and dual antiplatelet therapy ..
Activation of blood platelets and the coagulation cascade play a key .. their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Table 9
..
summarizes the essential features of the available oral and intrave-
role in the initial phase and evolution of NSTE-ACS. Hence, sufficient
...
platelet inhibition and (temporary) anticoagulation is essential in .. nous (i.v.) drugs. For further details on recent DAPT trials, please
NSTE-ACS patients, especially in those undergoing myocardial revas- .. refer to the 2017 ESC focused update on DAPT in CAD.169
..
cularization by PCI. Aspirin is considered to be the cornerstone of .. Trial data on the head-to-head comparison of prasugrel vs. ticagre-
treatment for inhibition of thromboxane A2 generation (Figure 6), .. lor became available with the open-label randomized Intracoronary
..
which is normally complete with a dose >_75 mg/d. Aspirin treatment .. stenting and Antithrombotic regimenRapid Early Action for
is started with a loading dose (LD) followed by maintenance treat- .. Coronary Treatment (ISAR-REACT) 5 trial.174 This study was con-
..
ment (Table 8). Current evidence supports a maintenance dose (MD) .. ducted in 4018 ACS patients (NSTE-ACS and STEMI) for whom an
of 75100 mg once daily (o.d.).169 Based on the results of the phase .. invasive evaluation was planned. The trial demonstrated that treat-
..
III PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) and TRial to .. ment with prasugrel vs. ticagrelor significantly reduced the composite
Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing
.. rate of death, MI, or stroke (6.9 vs. 9.3%, P=0.006) without any
..
Platelet InhibitioN with PrasugrelThrombolysis In Myocardial . increase in bleeding complications (4.8 vs. 5.4%, P=0.46). Limitations
24 ESC Guidelines
Table 9 P2Y12 receptor inhibitors for use in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients
Oral administration i.v. administration
Clopidogrel Prasugrel Ticagrelor Cangrelor
Drug class Thienopyridine Thienopyridine Cyclopentyl-triazolopyrimidine Adenosine triphosphate analogue
Reversibility Irreversible Irreversible Reversible Reversible
Bioactivation Yes (pro-drug, CYP Yes (pro-drug, CYP Noa No
dependent, 2 steps) dependent, 1 step)

(Pretreatment)-Dose 600 mg LD, 75 mg MD 60 mg LD, 10 (5) mg MD 180 mg LD, 2 90 (60) mg MD 30 mg/kg i.v. bolus, 4 mg/kg/min i.v.
infusion for PCI
Onset of effect Delayed: 26 h Rapid: 0.54 h Rapid: 0.52 h Immediate: 2 min
Offset of effect 310 days 510 days 34 days 3060 min
Delay to surgery 5 days 7 days 5 days No significant delay
Kidney failure No dose adjustment No dose adjustment No dose adjustment No dose adjustment
Dialysis or CrCl Limited data Limited data Limited data Limited data
<15 mL/min
CrCl = creatine clearance; CYP = cytochrome P450; i.v. = intravenous; LD = loading dose, MD = maintenance dose, PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention.
a
Following intestinal absorption, ticagrelor does not need to be metabolized to inhibit platelets. Of note, a metabolite (AR-C124910XX) of ticagrelor is also active.
of the study, amongst multiple others, include its open-label design

.. prasugrel, and clopidogrel were reported from the Swedish
..
and the limited data on medically managed or CABG-treated .. Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) in 64
patients, which were more prominent in the PLATO trial.170
.. 857 NSTE-ACS patients.178 In this large dataset on pre-treatment,
..
Ticagrelor also led to more patients stopping medication because of .. the authors reported that P2Y12 receptor inhibitor pre-treatment
side effects. The actual treatment strategy was PCI in >80% of
.. in NSTE-ACS patients was not associated with improved ischae-
..
randomized patients and, consequently, prasugrel should be consid- .. mic outcomes, but instead, with a significantly increased risk of
ered the preferred P2Y12 receptor inhibitor for NSTE-ACS patients
.. bleeding events. With respect to pre-treatment data for ticagrelor,
..
who proceed to PCI. The possible benefit of prasugrel, in comparison .. the recently published ISAR-REACT 5 trial showed that a
..
with ticagrelor or clopidogrel, may be related to improved endothe- .. prasugrel-based strategy with deferred loading after knowledge of
lial function.175 Recommended treatment algorithms and treatment .. coronary anatomy in NSTE-ACS patients was superior to a
..
durations, as well as options for extended treatment (>12 months) in .. ticagrelor-based strategy that implied a routine pre-treatment
NSTE-ACS patients, are shown in Figure 7. ... strategy.174 Importantly, there was no apparent benefit of a pre-
.. treatment strategy (that utilized ticagrelor) in that study.
..
5.1.1.2 Pre-treatment .. Based upon the available evidence,174,177 it is not recommended to
Pre-treatment defines a strategy according to which antiplatelet .. administer routine pre-treatment with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in
..
drugs, usually a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, are given before coro- .. NSTE-ACS patients in whom coronary anatomy is not known and an
nary angiography and when the coronary anatomy is unknown.176 .. early invasive management is planned. For patients with a delayed
..
Although a rationale for pre-treatment in NSTE-ACS may seem .. invasive management, pre-treatment with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor
obvious, for achieving sufficient platelet inhibition at the time of .. may be considered in selected cases and according to the bleeding
..
PCI, large-scale randomized trials supporting a routine pre- .. risk of the patient.
treatment strategy with either clopidogrel or the potent P2Y12 .. Fortunately, the recommended standard treatment with potent
..
receptor inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor are lacking. The .. P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (ticagrelor or prasugrel) exhibits a fast
randomized Comparison of Prasugrel at the Time of Percutaneous
.. onset of action (Table 9), thereby allowing LD administration after
..
Coronary Intervention or as Pretreatment at the Time of .. diagnostic coronary angiography and directly before PCI. Of note, a
Diagnosis in Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
.. routine pre-treatment strategy may be deleterious for a relevant pro-
..
(ACCOAST) trial177 demonstrated a lack of any ischaemic benefit .. portion of patients with diagnoses other than NSTE-ACS (e.g. aortic
for pre-treatment in NSTE-ACS patients, but instead, a substan-
.. dissection or bleeding complications including intracranial bleeding)
..
tially higher bleeding risk with prasugrel pre-treatment. In line with .. and may increase bleeding risk or delay procedures in patients sched-
these results, observational data on pre-treatment with ticagrelor,
.. uled for CABG after diagnostic angiography.
.
ESC Guidelines 25

©ESC 2020
Figure 7 Algorithm for antithrombotic therapy in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients without atrial fibrillation undergoing
percutaneous coronary intervention. HBR is considered as an increased risk of spontaneous bleeding during DAPT (e.g. PRECISE-DAPT score >_25 or
ARC-HBR158). Colour-coding refers to the ESC classes of recommendations (green = class I; yellow = IIa; orange = Class IIb). Very HBR is defined as
recent bleeding in the past month and/or not deferrable planned surgery. A = aspirin; ARC-HBR = Academic Research Consortium High Bleeding Risk;
C = clopidogrel; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy (here: aspirin þ rivaroxaban); eGFR = estimated glomerular filtra-
tion rate; ESC = European Society of Cardiology; HBR = high bleeding risk; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; P = prasu-
grel; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; PRECISE-DAPT = PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and
subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy; R = rivaroxaban; T = ticagrelor; UFH = unfractionated heparin. aClopidogrel during 12 months DAPT if patient is
not eligible for treatment with prasugrel or ticagrelor or in a setting of DAPT de-escalation with a switch to clopidogrel (class IIb). bClopidogrel or prasu-
grel if patient is not eligible for treatment with ticagrelor. cClass IIa indication for DAT or DAPT >12 months in patients at high risk for ischaemic events (see
Table 9 for definitions) and without increased risk of major bleeding (= prior history of intracranial haemorrhage or ischaemic stroke, history of other intra-
cranial pathology, recent gastrointestinal bleeding or anaemia due to possible gastrointestinal blood loss, other gastrointestinal pathology associated with
increased bleeding risk, liver failure, bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy, extreme old age or frailty, renal failure requiring dialysis, or with eGFR <15 mL/
min/1.73 m2); Class IIb indication for DAT or DAPT >12 months in patients with moderately increased risk of ischaemic events (see Table 9 for definitions) and
without increased risk of major bleeding. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
26 ESC Guidelines
Recommendations for antithrombotic treatment in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients with-
out atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Antiplatelet treatment
Aspirin is recommended for all patients without contraindications at an initial oral LD of 150300 mg (or 75250 mg i.v.), and at a
I A
MD of 75100 mg o.d. for long-term treatment.179181

A P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is recommended in addition to aspirin, and maintained over 12 months unless there are contraindications
or an excessive risk of bleeding.170,171,182 I A
Options are:
Prasugrel in P2Y12 receptor inhibitor-naı̈ve patients proceeding to PCI (60 mg LD, 10 mg/d as standard dose, 5 mg/d for patients
I B
aged >_75 years or with a body weight <60 kg).171
Ticagrelor irrespective of the planned treatment strategy (invasive or conservative) (180 mg LD, 90 mg b.i.d.).170 I B
Clopidogrel (300600 mg LD, 75 mg daily dose), only when prasugrel or ticagrelor are not available, cannot be tolerated, or are
I C
contraindicated.182,183
Prasugrel should be considered in preference to ticagrelor for NSTE-ACS patients who proceed to PCI.174 IIa B
GP IIb/IIIa antagonists should be considered for bail-out if there is evidence of no-reflow or a thrombotic complication. IIa C
Cangrelor may be considered in P2Y12 receptor inhibitor-naı̈ve patients undergoing PCI.184187 IIb A
Pre-treatment with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor may be considered in patients with NSTE-ACS who are not planned to undergo an
IIb C
early invasive strategy and do not have an HBR.
Treatment with GP IIb/IIIa antagonists in patients in whom coronary anatomy is not known is not recommended.188,189 III A
It is not recommended to administer routine pre-treatment with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in patients in whom coronary anatomy is
III A
not known and an early invasive management is planned.174,177,178,190,191
Peri-interventional anticoagulant treatment
Parenteral anticoagulation is recommended for all patients, in addition to antiplatelet treatment, at the time of diagnosis and, espe-
I A
cially, during revascularization procedures according to both ischaemic and bleeding risks.192,193
UFH (weight-adjusted i.v. bolus during PCI of 70100 IU/kg, or 5070 IU/kg in combination with a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor; activated
I A
clotting time target range of 250350 s, or 200250 s if a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor is given) is recommended in patients undergoing PCI.
In cases of medical treatment or logistical constraints for transferring the patient to PCI within the required time frame, fondaparinux
I B
is recommended and, in such cases, a single bolus of UFH is recommended at the time of PCI.183
It is recommended to select anticoagulation according to both ischaemic and bleeding risks, and according to the efficacysafety pro-
I C
file of the chosen agent.
Enoxaparin (i.v.) should be considered in patients pre-treated with subcutaneous enoxaparin.194196 IIa B
Discontinuation of parenteral anticoagulation should be considered immediately after an invasive procedure. IIa C
Bivalirudin may be considered as an alternative to UFH.189,197,198 IIb A
196
Crossover of UFH and LMWH is not recommended. III B
b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); GP = glycoprotein; HBR = high bleeding risk; i.v. = intravenous; LD = loading dose; LMWH = low-molecular-weight heparin; MD = maintenance
dose; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; o.d. = once daily; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; UFH = unfractionated heparin.
a
b
Level of evidence.
5.1.2 Peri-interventional anticoagulant treatment

.. The respective drugs should be discontinued immediately after PCI,
..
Peri-interventional treatment for NSTE-ACS patients consists of anti- .. except in specific clinical settings such as the confirmed presence of
coagulation to inhibit thrombin generation and thrombin activity
.. LV aneurysm with thrombus formation or AF requiring anticoagula-
..
(Figure 6). Anticoagulation is recommended for all patients in addition .. tion, which is usually done with UFH in (per)-acute settings.
to antiplatelet therapy during invasive management for NSTE-
.. Adjunctive treatment [e.g. glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors] and
..
ACS.192 Table 8 provides an overview of the relevant drugs and their .. procedural aspects (radial vs. femoral access) have been subject to
dosing in NSTE-ACS patients. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the
.. change in recent years. In contrast to older studies, recent and con-
..
standard of care for NSTE-ACS patients due to its favourable risk- .. temporary trials have pursued a balanced and more selective use of
..
benefit profile. In general, a crossover between anticoagulants should .. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, with both bivalirudin and UFH. These trials have
be avoided [especially between UFH and low-molecular-weight hep- .. been reviewed extensively in a number of meta-analyses.200203 A
..
arin (LMWH)], with the exception of adding UFH to fondaparinux .. recent meta-analysis, which included the Minimizing Adverse
when a patient proceeds to PCI after fondaparinux treatment.196,199 .. Haemorrhagic Events by TRansradial Access Site and Systemic
ESC Guidelines 27
..
Implementation of angioX (MATRIX) trial,197 showed no significant .. patients without pre-treatment with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (see
benefit of bivalirudin vs. UFH for ischaemic outcomes.202 Bivalirudin .. 2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on myocardial revascularization for
..
was associated with a significant increase in the risk of stent thrombo- .. more details).205
sis and a significant decrease in bleeding risk. Bleeding risk reduction .. Cangrelor is a direct reversible, short-acting P2Y12 receptor inhibi-
..
was linked to unbalanced use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, predominantly .. tor that has been evaluated during PCI for stable CCS and ACS in
with UFH. Recently, the Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and .. clinical trials comparing cangrelor with clopidogrel, administered
..
Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated .. before PCI [Cangrelor versus Standard Therapy to Achieve Optimal
According to Recommended Therapies (VALIDATE- .. Management of Platelet Inhibition (CHAMPION)] or after PCI
..

SWEDEHEART) study204 compared UFH vs. bivalirudin on a back- .. (CHAMPION PLATFORM and CHAMPION PHOENIX).185187 A
ground of radial access and limited use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The .. meta-analysis of these trials showed a benefit with respect to major
..
study demonstrated similar risks for both ischaemia and bleeding .. ischaemic endpoints that was counter-balanced by an increase in
when comparing the two drugs. Another meta-analysis, updated with .. minor bleeding complications.184 Moreover, the benefit of cangrelor
..
the results of the VALIDATE-SWEDEHEART study, confirmed that .. with respect to ischaemic endpoints was attenuated in CHAMPION
bivalirudin vs. UFH was associated with a similar incidence of all- .. PCI with upfront administration of clopidogrel, while data for its use
..
cause death and ischaemic events after PCI in ACS.203 A significant .. in conjunction with ticagrelor or prasugrel treatment are limited.
association between bivalirudin and decreased risk of bleeding was
.. Due to its proven efficacy in preventing intra-procedural and post-
..
only found with unbalanced use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in conjunction .. procedural stent thrombosis in P2Y12 receptor inhibitor-naı̈ve
with UFH.
.. patients, cangrelor may be considered on a case-by-case basis in
..
In summary, and based on the aforementioned trials, UFH is pri- .. P2Y12 receptor inhibitor-naı̈ve NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI
marily recommended as an anticoagulant for PCI. Due to its short
.. (see 2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on myocardial revascularization
..
half-life and favourable results in some of the studies, bivalirudin may .. for more details).205
..
be considered as an alternative to UFH in selected cases. For a more ..
detailed description and a historical summary of the older clinical tri- ..
..
als (with unbalanced use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors) comparing UFH .. 5.1.4 Post-interventional and maintenance treatment
with bivalirudin, please refer to the 2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on .. Following PCI for NSTE-ACS, DAPT consisting of a potent P2Y12
..
myocardial revascularization.205 .. receptor inhibitor in addition to aspirin is generally recommended
Patients may undergo cardiac catheterization after a conservative .. for 12 months, irrespective of the stent type, unless there are contra-
..
treatment phase and these patients might be treated with fondapari- .. indications.170,171,182 In specific clinical scenarios, DAPT duration can
nux during this period. This regimen is based on the Fifth .. be shortened (<12 months), extended (>12 months, see Figure 7 and
..
Organization to Assess Strategies in Acute Ischemic Syndromes .. Tables 10 and 11), or modified (switching DAPT, DAPT de-
(OASIS-5) trial.206 Of note, catheter thrombus formation was an .. escalation) and these decisions depend on individual clinical judge-
..
issue with fondaparinux and, therefore, full-dose UFH must be added .. ment being driven by the patient’s ischaemic and bleeding risk, the
to prevent thrombus formation when the patient proceeds to PCI. .. occurrence of adverse events, comorbidities, co-medications, and
..
Enoxaparin, a LMWH with a predictable dose-effect relationship .. the availability of the respective drugs. For a detailed description of
and a lower risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) com- .. the pertinent and numerous trials that have compared different
..
pared to UFH, should be considered as an anticoagulant for PCI in .. DAPT treatment durations (especially 36 vs. 12 months in NSTE-
patients pre-treated with subcutaneous enoxaparin. A benefit of
.. ACS patients), please refer to the 2017 ESC focused update on
..
enoxaparin over UFH reduced mortality and bleeding complica- .. DAPT in CAD169 and recent trial publications.208,209 In patients with
tions was reported in a meta-analysis that included NSTE-ACS
.. NSTE-ACS and stent implantation who are at high risk of bleeding
..
patients,194 but dedicated large-scale trials comparing enoxaparin vs. .. (e.g. PRECISE-DAPT >_25 or ARC-HBR criteria met), discontinuation
UFH in NSTE-ACS are lacking.
..
.. of P2Y12 receptor inhibitor therapy after 36 months should be con-
.. sidered.154 In patients at very high risk of bleeding, defined as a recent
..
.. bleeding episode in the past month or planned, not deferrable sur-
5.1.3 Peri-interventional antiplatelet treatment .. gery in the near future, 1 month of aspirin and clopidogrel should be
..
Drugs for peri-interventional i.v. antiplatelet treatment include can- .. considered.
grelor and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors (abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban). .. Four recent trials (n = 29 089) have explored the benefit of a
..
Most of the trials evaluating GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in PCI-treated ACS .. shortened DAPT duration of 13 months.208211 Low-to-inter-
patients predated the era of routine DAPT with early DAPT initiation .. mediate ischaemic risk and low bleeding risk patients were included
..
including a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor LD.205,207 Today, with routine .. and early monotherapy with clopidogrel/ticagrelor was used. All
and potent oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, there is no compelling evi- .. bleeding events were reduced, with a favourable trend towards less
..
dence for an additional benefit of routine upstream use of GP IIb/IIIa .. ischaemic events including MI. Importantly, more than 50% had ACS
inhibitors in NSTE-ACS patients scheduled for coronary angiogra- .. as an inclusion criterion. In particular, the Ticagrelor With Aspirin or
..
phy.188,189 Even more so, in a setting of potent platelet inhibition with .. Alone in High-Risk Patients After Coronary Intervention
ticagrelor or prasugrel, where randomized data on GP IIb/IIIa use is .. (TWILIGHT) trial211 examined the effect of ticagrelor alone vs. tica-
..
limited, routine use of these agents cannot be recommended. .. grelor plus aspirin with regard to clinically relevant bleeding among
Nevertheless, use should be considered for bail-out situations or
.. patients at high risk for bleeding or ischaemic events who had under-
..
thrombotic complications and may be considered for high-risk PCI in . gone PCI, according to the inclusion criteria. However, these patients
28 ESC Guidelines
Table 10 Treatment options for extended dual antithrombotic or antiplatelet therapies

Drug Dose Indication NNT NNH
(ischaemic (bleeding
outcomes) outcomes)
DAT regimens for extended treatment (including aspirin 75100 mg o.d.)
Rivaroxaban (COMPASS trial) 2.5 mg b.i.d. Patients with CAD or symptomatic 77 84
PAD at high risk of ischaemic events

DAPT regimens for extended treatment (including aspirin 75100 mg o.d.)
Clopidogrel (DAPT trial) 75 mg/d Post MI in patients who have tolerated DAPT for 1 year 63 105
Prasugrel (DAPT trial) 10 mg/d (5 mg/d if body weight Post PCI for MI in patients who have 63 105
<60 kg or age >75 years) tolerated DAPT for 1 year
Ticagrelor (PEGASUS-TIMI 54) 60/90 mg b.i.d. Post MI in patients who have tolerated DAPT for 1 year 84 81
Drugs (in addition to aspirin 75100 mg/d) for extended DAPT treatment options are in alphabetical order. For indications and definitions for high/moderately increased risk
and bleeding risk see Table 9 and Figure 7. NNT refers to the primary ischaemic endpoints of the respective trials and NNH refers to the key safety (bleeding) endpoints. NNT
and NNH numbers from the DAPT trial are pooled numbers for clopidogrel and prasugrel.
b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); CAD = coronary artery disease; COMPASS = Cardiovascular OutcoMes for People using Anticoagulation StrategieS; DAPT = dual antiplatelet
therapy; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy; MI = myocardial infarction; NNH = number needed to harm; NNT = number needed to treat; o.d. = once daily; PAD = peripheral
artery disease; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; PEGASUS-TIMI 54 = Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor
Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 54.
Table 11 Risk criteria for extended treatment with a second antithrombotic agent
High thrombotic risk (Class IIa) Moderate thrombotic risk (Class IIb)
Complex CAD and at least 1 criterion Non-complex CAD and at least 1 criterion
Risk enhancers
Diabetes mellitus requiring medication Diabetes mellitus requiring medication
History of recurrent MI History of recurrent MI
Any multivessel CAD Polyvascular disease (CAD plus PAD)
Polyvascular disease (CAD plus PAD) CKD with eGFR 1559 mL/min/1.73 m2
Premature (<45 years) or accelerated (new lesion within a 2-year time frame) CAD
Concomitant systemic inflammatory disease (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus,
systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic arthritis)
CKD with eGFR 1559 mL/min/1.73 m2
Technical aspects
At least 3 stents implanted
At least 3 lesions treated
Total stent length >60 mm
History of complex revascularization (left main, bifurcation stenting with >_2 stents
implanted, chronic total occlusion, stenting of last patent vessel)
History of stent thrombosis on antiplatelet treatment
In line with guideline recommendations, CAD patients are stratified into two different risk groups (high vs. moderately increased thrombotic or ischaemic risk). Stratification of
patients towards complex vs. non-complex CAD is based on individual clinical judgement with knowledge of patients’ cardiovascular history and/or coronary anatomy.
Selection and composition of risk-enhancing factors are based on the combined evidence of clinical trials on extended antithrombotic treatment in CAD patients162,212,214 and
on data from related registries.228230
CAD = coronary artery disease; CKD = chronic kidney disease; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; MI = myocardial infarction; PAD = peripheral artery disease.
were not at HBR according to current HBR criteria and event rates
.. CI 0.450.68, P<0.001), with a significant interaction according to
..
at follow-up. Based on this, these patients were more a low bleeding .. ACS at presentation. The trial was not powered for the composite
..
and ischaemic risk cohort even though more than two thirds had an .. endpoint of death from any cause, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke.
ACS. After 3 months of treatment with ticagrelor plus aspirin, .. However, in exploratory non-inferiority hypothesis testing, there
..
patients who did not have a major bleeding or ischaemic event con- .. was no signal of increased ischaemic risk.211 It should be acknowl-
tinued to take ticagrelor and were randomly assigned to receive .. edged that the actual ischaemic event rate in TWILIGHT was low
..
aspirin or placebo for 1 year. The primary endpoint of Bleeding .. compared to other trials for deemed high-risk PCI patients.
Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding was .. Contrary to this, and based on the results of the DAPT and
..
significantly reduced by omitting aspirin (4.0 vs. 7.1%; HR 0.56, 95% . Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart
ESC Guidelines 29
Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Recommendations for post-interventional and
Aspirin-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (PEGASUS-TIMI) maintenance treatment in patients with
54 trials, in patients with ACS who have tolerated DAPT without non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
a bleeding complication, a prolonged DAPT course >12 months
should be considered in those with high thrombotic risk and with-
out an increased risk for major or life-threatening bleeding, and In patients with NSTE-ACS treated with coronary
may be considered in patients with moderately elevated throm- stent implantation, DAPT with a P2Y12 receptor
botic risk (see Figure 7 and Tables 10 and 11).212,213 Of note, the inhibitor on top of aspirin is recommended for 12 I A

60 mg bis in die [b.i.d. (twice a day)] dose for ticagrelor was better months unless there are contraindications such as
tolerated than the 90 mg b.i.d dose214,215 and this dose is now excessive risk of bleeding.170,171,225
approved in many (albeit not all) countries for this indication. Prolonging antithrombotic treatment duration
Switching between oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors is common and Adding a second antithrombotic agent to aspirin
triggers may include bleeding complications (or concerns for bleed- for extended long-term secondary prevention
ing), non-bleeding side effects (e.g. dyspnoea on ticagrelor, allergic should be considered in patients with a high risk
IIa A
reactions), as well as socio-economic factors.216,217 Switching of ischaemic events and without increased risk
between oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors may be considered in of major or life-threatening bleeding (see
selected cases, and for a more detailed description on switching anti- Tables 9 and 11 for options).162,212,213,214,223
platelet drugs, please refer to the International Expert Consensus on Adding a second antithrombotic agent to aspirin
Switching Platelet P2Y12 Receptor-Inhibiting Therapies217 and the for extended long-term secondary prevention may
2017 ESC DAPT focused update.169 be considered in patients with moderately
DAPT de-escalation (switch from potent drugs like prasugrel or IIb A
increased risk of ischaemic events and without
ticagrelor to clopidogrel) in NSTE-ACS patients may be consid- increased risk of major or life-threatening bleeding
ered as an alternative treatment regimen.216,217 However, it is (see Tables 9 and 11 for options).162,212,213,214,223
important to note that there is a potential for increased ischaemic In ACS patients with no prior stroke/transient
risk with a uniform de-escalation of P2Y12 receptor inhibiting ther- ischaemic attack who are at high ischaemic risk and
apy after PCI, particularly if performed early (<30 days) after the low bleeding risk and are receiving aspirin and clo-
index event. Indeed, dedicated large-scale trials on a uniform and IIb B
pidogrel, low-dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg b.i.d. for
unguided DAPT de-escalation are lacking and the available data on approximately 1 year) may be considered after dis-
uniform de-escalation are conflicting.218,219 Based on the results continuation of parenteral anticoagulation.224
of the Testing Responsiveness to Platelet Inhibition on Chronic
Shortening antithrombotic treatment duration
Antiplatelet Treatment for Acute Coronary Syndromes
After stent implantation with high risk of bleed-
(TROPICAL-ACS) and POPULAR Genetics trials,220,221 an
ing (e.g. PRECISE-DAPT >_25 or ARC-HBR cri-
approach of DAPT de-escalation guided by either platelet function
teria met), discontinuation of P2Y12 receptor IIa B
testing (TROPICAL-ACS: NSTE-ACS and STEMI patients)
inhibitor therapy after 3 months should be
or CYP2C19-directed genotyping (POPULAR Genetics: STEMI
considered.154,226
patients) may be considered in selected NSTE-ACS patients
After stent implantation in patients undergoing a
as an alternative to 12 months of potent platelet inhibition,
strategy of DAPT, stopping aspirin after 36
especially for patients deemed unsuitable for maintained
months should be considered, depending on the IIa A
potent platelet inhibition. For further details, please refer to the
balance between the ischaemic and bleeding
updated expert consensus statement on platelet function and
risk.208,209,227
genetic testing for guiding P2Y12 receptor inhibitor treatment in
PCI.222 De-escalation of P2Y12 receptor inhibitor treat-
Recently, data on a novel strategy of dual antithrombotic ther- ment (e.g. with a switch from prasugrel or tica-
apy (DAT) consisting of factor-Xa inhibition with a very low dose grelor to clopidogrel) may be considered as an
of rivaroxaban (2.5 mg b.i.d.) plus aspirin has emerged, and such a alternative DAPT strategy, especially for ACS
regimen should be considered as a treatment option for mainte- patients deemed unsuitable for potent platelet
IIb A
nance treatment beyond 12 months post ACS PCI. In a secondary inhibition. De-escalation may be done unguided
prevention setting, the Cardiovascular OutcoMes for People using based on clinical judgment or guided by platelet
Anticoagulation StrategieS (COMPASS) trial162,223 investigated function testing or CYP2C19 genotyping,
very low-dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg b.i.d.) in combination with depending on patient’s risk profile and availabil-
aspirin vs. aspirin alone or rivaroxaban 5 mg b.i.d. alone. ity of respective assays.218,220,221
Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg b.i.d. plus aspirin 100 mg o.d. reduced the risk ACS = acute coronary syndromes; ARC-HBR = Academic Research Consortium
of the combined ischaemic endpoint, overall mortality (without High Bleeding Risk; b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); DAPT = dual antiplatelet
therapy; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome;
reaching the threshold P-value according to the Hochberg proce-
PRECISE-DAPT = PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing
dure), and cardiovascular mortality alone, while this combination Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy.
a
increased the risk for major bleeding complications without a Class of recommendation.
b
Level of evidence.
30 ESC Guidelines
significant increase in the risk of fatal, intracranial, or critical organ

..
.. 5.3 Managing oral antiplatelet agents in
bleeding events. Greater absolute risk reductions were seen in .. patients requiring long-term oral
high-risk patients, including those with diabetes or polyvascular
..
.. anticoagulants
disease [CAD plus peripheral artery disease (PAD)]. Thus, rivar- ..
oxaban (2.5 mg b.i.d.) should be considered, in addition to aspirin
.. 5.3.1 Patients with atrial fibrillation without mechanical
.. prosthetic heart valves or moderate-to-severe mitral
75 - 100 mg/d in patients at high thrombotic risk and without an ..
increased risk for major or life-threatening bleeding, and may be
.. stenosis undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
.. or managed medically (Supplementary Data)
considered in patients with moderately elevated thrombotic risk ..
.. In 68% of patients undergoing PCI, long-term OAC is indicated and

(see Figure 7 and Tables 10 and 11 for selection criteria and for .. should also be continued during the procedure because its interrup-
ischaemic and bleeding risk definitions). ..
.. tion and bridging with parenteral anticoagulants may lead to
Rivaroxaban has also been studied in the Anti-Xa Therapy to .. increased thromboembolic episodes and bleeds.232234 In patients
Lower Cardiovascular Events in Addition to Standard Therapy in ..
.. undergoing PCI, it is unknown whether it is safe to bridge
Subjects with Acute Coronary Syndrome 2Thrombolysis In ..
Myocardial Infarction 51 (ATLAS ACS 2TIMI 51) trial on a back- .. non-vitamin K antagonist (VKA) OACs (NOACs) with parenteral
.. anticoagulants or continue NOACs without additional parenteral
ground of clopidogrel treatment. The study showed a reduction of ..
ischaemic events and cardiovascular mortality along with a higher risk .. anticoagulation, while no parenteral anticoagulation is needed if the
.. international normalized ratio (INR) is >2.5 in VKA-treated
for bleeding.224 However, data are lacking on a background of tica- ..
grelor or prasugrel treatment and it is therefore difficult to extrapo- .. patients.235237 Strategies to minimize PCI-related complications in
.. patients on OACs are listed in Table 12.
late trial results to contemporary practice including the use of potent ..
P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. .. In NSTE-ACS patients, evidence on the management of patients
.. undergoing PCI requiring long-term OAC is derived from subgroups
..
.. of RCTs (see Table 13 and Supplementary Data section 5.3.1).238242
5.2 Pharmacological treatment of .. Overall, in patients with AF without mechanical prosthetic valves
ischaemia (Supplementary Data) ..
.. or moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis, the evidence supports the
5.2.1 Supportive pharmacological treatment .. use of NOACs over VKA in terms of safety (i.e. lower bleeding risk).
..
(Supplementary Data) .. DAT with a NOAC at the recommended dose for stroke prevention
.. and single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) (preferably clopidogrel, chosen
..
5.2.2 Nitrates and beta-blockers (Supplementary .. in more than 90% of cases in available trials) is recommended as the
Data) .. default strategy up to 12 months after a short period (up to 1 week)
..
.. of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) (with NOAC and DAPT)
.. (Figure 8). Although none of the available RCTs were designed to
..
.. detect subtle differences in ischaemic events, the numerically higher
.. risk of stent thrombosis or MIs observed in some trials might have
..
Recommendations for anti-ischaemic drugs in the acute .. been offset by the higher risk of bleeding, resulting in a neutral effect
phase of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary .. on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or overall
syndrome
..
.. death.243,244 At variance with the default strategy, in patients with
..
Recommendations Classa Levelb .. HBR, DAT should be shortened to 6 months by withdrawing the
.. ongoing antiplatelet therapy; while in patients with high coronary
..
Sublingual or i.v. nitrates and early initiation of .. ischaemic risk, TAT should be prolonged up to 1 month, followed by
beta-blocker treatment are recommended in .. DAT for up to 12 months. There is currently limited evidence to sup-
I C ..
patients with ongoing ischaemic symptoms and .. port the use of OACs with ticagrelor or prasugrel as dual therapy
without contraindications. .. after PCI as an alternative to TAT.241,245 Following coronary stenting,
..
It is recommended to continue chronic beta- .. DAPT with aspirin and ticagrelor or prasugrel, without OAC, may be
blocker therapy unless the patient is in overt I C .. considered as an alternative to TAT in patients with high ischaemic
..
heart failure. .. risk NSTE-ACS and AF and one non-sex stroke risk factor within the
i.v. nitrates are recommended in patients with
.. first 4 weeks. Regarding the need to continue with any antiplatelet
..
uncontrolled hypertension or signs of heart I C .. agent beyond 12 months, the AFIRE trial randomized 2236 AF
.. patients treated with PCI or CABG more than 1 year earlier or with
failure. ..
In patients with suspected/confirmed vasospas- .. documented CAD to receive either monotherapy with rivaroxaban
.. or combination therapy with rivaroxaban plus a single antiplatelet
tic angina, calcium channel blockers and nitrates
IIa B
..
should be considered and beta-blockers .. agent.246 Rivaroxaban monotherapy (15 mg o.d. or 10 mg o.d. with
.. creatinine clearance (CrCl) 1549 mL/min) was non-inferior to
avoided.231 ..
.. combination therapy for the primary efficacy composite endpoint of
i.v. = intravenous. .. stroke, systemic embolism, MI, unstable angina requiring revasculari-
a
Class of recommendation. ..
b
Level of evidence. .. zation, or overall death (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.550.95).
ESC Guidelines 31
Table 12 Suggested strategies to reduce bleeding risk related to percutaneous coronary intervention
• Anticoagulant doses adjusted to body weight and renal function, especially in women and older patients
• Radial artery approach as default vascular access
• Proton pump inhibitors in patients on DAPT at higher-than-average risk of gastrointestinal bleeds (i.e. history of gastrointestinal ulcer/haemorrhage, anti-
coagulant therapy, chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/corticosteroid use, or two or more of:
a. Age >_65 years
b. Dyspepsia

c. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
d. Helicobacter pylori infection
e. Chronic alcohol use
• In patients on OAC
a. PCI performed without interruption of VKAs or NOACs
b. In patients on VKAs, do not administer UFH if INR >2.5
c. In patients on NOACs, regardless of the timing of the last administration of NOACs, add low-dose parenteral anticoagulation
(e.g. enoxaparin 0.5 mg/kg i.v. or UFH 60 IU/kg)
• Aspirin is indicated but avoid pre-treatment with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors

• GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors only for bailout or periprocedural complications
DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; GP = glycoprotein; INR = international normalized ratio; i.v. = intravenous; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; OAC =
oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; UFH = unfractionated heparin; VKA = vitamin K antagonist.
Table 13 Randomized controlled trials including patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
requiring anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy
RCT n Comparison Primary Endpoint Secondary endpoints
WOEST239 573 DAT (VKA þ C) for 12 months vs. TIMI bleeding lower with DAT vs. TAT MI þ stroke þ target vessel revasculariza-
TAT (VKA þ A þ C) for at 1 year (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.260.50) tion þ stent thrombosis: no difference.
12 months All-cause mortality lower with DAT vs. TAT
at 1 year (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.160.93)
ISAR-TRIPLE250 614 6 weeks TAT (VKA þ A þ C) fol- Death þ MI þ stent thrombosis þ Cardiac death þ MIþ stent thrombosis
lowed by DAT (VKA þ A) vs. stroke or TIMI major bleeds at þ stroke: no difference. TIMI major
6 months TAT (VKA þ A þ C) 9 months: no difference bleeding: no difference
PIONEER 2124 DAT (rivaroxaban 15 mg/day þ C) Clinically significant bleeding lower Cardiovascular death þ MI þ stroke:
AF-PCI240 for 12 months) vs. modified TAT with DAT (HR 0.59, 95% CI no difference. All-cause death þ reho-
(rivaroxaban 2.5 mg b.i.d. þ A þ C 0.470.76) or modified TAT (HR 0.63, spitalization lower with DAT (HR 0.79,
for 1, 6, or 12 months) vs. TAT (VKA 95% CI 0.500.80) vs. TAT CI 0.690.94) or modified TAT (HR
þ A þ C for 1, 6, or 12 months) 0.75, CI 0.620.90) vs. TAT
RE-DUAL PCI238 2725 TAT (VKA þ A þ C) up to 3 Major or clinically relevant non-major MI þ stroke þ systemic embolism,
months vs. DAT (dabigatran 110 or bleeding lower in DAT 110 mg (HR 0.52, death, unplanned revascularization: no
150 mg b.i.d. þ C or T) 95% CI 0.420.63) or DAT 150 mg (HR difference
0.72, 95% CI 0.580.88) vs. TAT
AUGUSTUS241 4614 DAT1 (apixaban 5 mg b.i.d. þ C or T Major or clinically relevant non-major Death þ hospitalization lower with
or P) vs. DAT2 (VKA þ C or T or P) bleeds lower with DAT1 (HR 0.69, apixaban (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.740.93)
vs. TAT1 (apixaban 5 mg b.i.d. þ A þ 95% CI 0.580.81) vs. other regimens No difference with aspirin
C or T or P) vs. TAT2 (VKA þ A þ
C or T or P)
ENTRUST- 1506 DAT (edoxaban 60 mg þ C or T or Major or clinically relevant non-major Cardiovascular death þ stroke þ sys-
AF PCI251 P) vs. TAT (VKA þ A þ C or T or bleeds non-inferior between DAT or temic embolism þ MI þ stent throm-
P) TAT (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.651.05, bosis not different between DAT and
P=0.0010 for non-inferiority) TAT
A = aspirin; AF = atrial fibrillation; AUGUSTUS = Antithrombotic Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome or PCI in Atrial Fibrillation; b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); C = clo-
pidogrel; CI = confidence interval; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy; ENTRUST-AF PCI = EdoxabaN TRreatment versUS VKA in paTients with AF undergoing PCI; HR =
hazard ratio; ISAR-TRIPLE = Triple Therapy in Patients on Oral Anticoagulation After Drug Eluting Stent Implantation; MI = myocardial infarction; OAC = oral anticoagulation/
anticoagulant; P = prasugrel; PIONEER AF-PCI = Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study Exploring Two Treatment Strategies of Rivaroxaban and a Dose-
Adjusted Oral Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment Strategy in Subjects with Atrial Fibrillation who Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; RCT = randomized controlled
trial; RE-DUAL PCI = Randomized Evaluation of Dual Antithrombotic Therapy with Dabigatran versus Triple Therapy with Warfarin in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial
Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; T = ticagrelor; TAT = triple antithrombotic therapy; TIMI = Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction; VKA = vitamin
K antagonist; WOEST = What is the Optimal antiplatElet and anticoagulant therapy in patients with oral anticoagulation and coronary StenTing.
32 ESC Guidelines

©ESC 2020
Figure 8 Algorithm for antithrombotic therapy in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percu-
taneous coronary intervention or medical management. Green (class I) and yellow (class IIa) colours denote the classes of recommendation. OAC: prefer-
ence for a NOAC over VKA for the default strategy and in all other scenarios if no contraindications. For both TAT and DAT regimens, the
recommended doses for the NOACs are as follows:
1) Apixaban 5 mg b.i.d.241
2) Dabigatran 110 mg or 150 mg b.i.d.238
3) Edoxaban 60 mg/d
4) Rivaroxaban 15 mg or 20 mg/d240
NOAC dose reductions are recommended in patients with renal failure and may be considered in patients with ARC-HBR (see Table 7).158 SAPT: prefer-
ence for a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor over aspirin. Ticagrelor may be considered in patients with high ischaemic risk and low bleeding risk. Treatment >1
month: OAC þ DAPT (TAT) may be considered for up to 6 months in selected patients with high ischaemic risk (IIa C). Treatment >12 months: OAC þ
SAPT may be considered in selected patients with high ischaemic risk. ARC-HBR = see Table 7 and in addition with a PRECISE-DAPT score of >_25. High
thrombotic or ischaemic risk is defined in Table 11. AF = atrial fibrillation; ARC-HBR = Academic Research Consortium High Bleeding Risk; b.i.d. = bis
in die (twice a day); DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; NSTE-
ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; OAC = oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention;
PRECISE-DAPT = PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy; SAPT = single
antiplatelet therapy; TAT = triple antithrombotic therapy; VKA = vitamin K antagonist. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
Rivaroxaban monotherapy was superior for the primary safety end-

.. higher bleeding events (HR 1.49, 95% CI 0.982.26), but no signifi-
..
point of major bleeding (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.390.89). .. cant differences in death or hospitalization (HR 1.16, 95% CI
In NSTE-ACS patients managed medically, available data support
.. 0.901.51) or ischaemic events (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.661.55).
..
DAT over TAT, with a single antiplatelet agent (most commonly clo- ..
pidogrel) for at least 6 months.247 In a registry, bleeding risk was
..
.. 5.3.2 Patients requiring vitamin K antagonists or
increased on TAT compared to VKA plus a single antiplatelet agent .. undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery
..
at 90 days, but not at 1 year, without differences in ischaemic .. In patients where VKA is mandated (e.g. patients with mechanical
events.248 In addition, warfarin plus clopidogrel resulted in a non- .. prosthetic valves), DAT with VKA and SAPT (preferably clopidogrel)
..
significant reduction in major bleeds compared with TAT, with a .. is indicated after a short in-hospital period of TAT (with aspirin and
non-significant reduction in MI or cardiovascular death.249 In the .. clopidogrel).239 Compared with TAT (consisting of VKA plus aspirin
..
randomized Antithrombotic Therapy after Acute Coronary .. and clopidogrel), DAT (VKA plus clopidogrel) was associated with a
Syndrome or PCI in Atrial Fibrillation (AUGUSTUS) trial,241 approxi- .. trend towards a reduction in Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction
..
mately 23% of enrolled patients presented with medically managed .. (TIMI) major bleeding (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.311.08) in a network
ACS. In these patients, apixaban significantly reduced bleeding events .. meta-analysis, while no significant difference was observed in MACE
..
vs. VKA (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.280.68) and death or hospitalization .. (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.601.46).243
(HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.540.92), while no significant differences were .. CABG in fully anticoagulated patients is associated with an
..
observed in death or ischaemic events (HR 0.71, 95% CI .. increased bleeding risk, thus interruption of VKA prior to CABG is
0.461.09]). Aspirin vs. placebo presented a strong trend towards .. recommended in non-emergent cases. In emergency surgery, a
ESC Guidelines 33
..
combination of prothrombin complex concentrate of four inacti- .. patients.254 In the setting of planned CABG, a 48-h interruption of
vated factors (25 IU/kg) and oral vitamin K is required to obtain fast .. NOACs is recommended (a longer period might be necessary in
..
and sustained restoration of haemostasis at the time of surgery.252 .. patients with impaired renal function). In ACS patients with an estab-
While experience with urgent major surgery in patients treated with .. lished indication for OAC, anticoagulation should be resumed after
..
NOACs is limited, it has been suggested to use prothrombin com- .. CABG as soon as the bleeding is controlled, possibly with a combina-
plex concentrate of activated factors to restore haemostasis.253 .. tion with SAPT, while TAT should be avoided. For antithrombotic
..
Reversal agents might represent an additional option in these .. therapy and CABG, see Valgimigli et al.169

Recommendations for combining antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
syndrome patients requiring chronic oral anticoagulation
Stroke prevention is recommended to AF patients with >_1 non-sex CHA2DS2-VASc stroke risk factors (score of >_1 in males or
I A
>_2 in females).For patients with >_2 non-sex stroke risk factors, OAC is recommended.255259
For patients with 1 non-sex stroke risk factor, OAC should be considered and treatment may be individualized based on net clini-
IIa B
cal benefit and consideration of patient values and preferences.260263
An early ICA should be considered in HBR patients, irrespective of OAC exposure, to expedite treatment allocation (medical vs.
IIa C
PCI vs. CABG) and to determine the optimal antithrombotic regimen.
Patients undergoing coronary stenting
Anticoagulation
During PCI, additional parenteral anticoagulation is recommended, irrespective of the timing of the last dose of all NOACs and if
I C
INR is <2.5 in VKA-treated patients.
In patients with an indication for OAC with VKA in combination with aspirin and/or clopidogrel, the dose intensity of VKA should
IIa B
be carefully regulated with a target INR of 2.02.5 and a time in the therapeutic range >70%.236,238241
Uninterrupted therapeutic anticoagulation with VKA or NOACs should be considered during the periprocedural phase. IIa C
In patients with AF and CHA2DS2-VASc score >_1 in men and >_2 in women, after a short period of TAT (up to 1 week from the
acute event), DAT is recommended as the default strategy using a NOAC at the recommended dose for stroke prevention and a I A
single oral antiplatelet agent (preferably clopidogrel).238241,244,245
Periprocedural DAPT administration consisting of aspirin and clopidogrel up to 1 week is recommended.238241,244,245 I A
Discontinuation of antiplatelet treatment in patients treated with an OAC is recommended after 12 months.236239,246 I B
In patients treated with a VKA (e.g. mechanical prosthetic valves), clopidogrel alone should be considered in selected patients
IIa B
(HAS-BLED >_3 or ARC-HBR met and low risk of stent thrombosis) for up to 12 months.236
When rivaroxaban is used and concerns about HBR prevail over stent thrombosis or ischaemic stroke, rivaroxaban 15 mg o.d.
IIa B
should be considered in preference to rivaroxaban 20 mg o.d. for the duration of concomitant SAPT or DAPT.240,245
In patients at HBR (HAS-BLED >_3), dabigatran 110 mg b.i.d. should be considered in preference to dabigatran 150 mg b.i.d. for
IIa B
the duration of concomitant SAPT or DAPT to mitigate bleeding risk.238
In patients treated with an OAC, aspirin plus clopidogrel for longer than 1 week and up to 1 month should be considered in those
IIa C
with high ischaemic risk or other anatomical/procedural characteristics which outweigh the bleeding risk (Table 11).
DAT (with an OAC and either ticagrelor or prasugrel) may be considered as an alternative to TAT (with an OAC, aspirin, and
IIb C
clopidogrel) in patients with a moderate or high risk of stent thrombosis, irrespective of the type of stent used.
The use of ticagrelor or prasugrel as part of TAT is not recommended. III C
Medically managed patients
One antiplatelet agent in addition to an OAC should be considered for up to 1 year.241,247 IIa C
241,247
In patients with AF, apixaban 5 mg b.i.d. and SAPT (clopidogrel) for at least 6 months may be considered. IIb B
AF = atrial fibrillation; ARC-HBR = Academic Research Consortium High Bleeding Risk; b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing);
CHA2DS2-VASc = Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age >_75 years (2 points), Diabetes, Stroke (2 points)Vascular disease, Age 6574, Sex category (female); DAPT =
dual antiplatelet therapy; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy; HAS-BLED = hypertension, abnormal renal and liver function (1 point each), stroke, bleeding history or predispo-
sition, labile INR, older patients (>65 years), drugs and alcohol (1 point each); HBR = high bleeding risk (see Table 7); ICA = invasive coronary angiography; INR = international
normalized ratio; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; OAC = oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant; o.d. = once daily; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention;
SAPT = single antiplatelet therapy; TAT = triple antithrombotic therapy; VKA = vitamin K antagonist.
a
b
Level of evidence.
34 ESC Guidelines
..
.. 6 Invasive treatments
5.4 Management of acute bleeding events ..
.. 6.1 Invasive coronary angiography and
5.4.1 General supportive measures (Supplementary Data) ..
.. revascularization
.. Coronary angiography facilitates clarification as to whether pre-
5.4.2 Bleeding events on antiplatelet agents ..
.. sumed anginal chest pain originates from myocardial ischaemia, as a
(Supplementary Data) .. consequence of a culprit lesion, or not. In the former case, the culprit
..
.. lesion can subsequently be treated by means of PCI within the same

5.4.3 Bleeding events on vitamin K antagonists ... procedure or by CABG, depending on lesion morphology and the
.. patient’s risk profile (see section 6.4). In the latter case, exclusion of a
.. culprit lesion paves the way to subsequent diagnostic investigations
5.4.4 Bleeding events on non-vitamin K antagonist oral
..
.. ultimately revealing the cause of chest pain and/or myocardial injury
anticoagulants (Supplementary Data) .. (see section 7). However, ICA carries a certain risk for procedure-
..
.. related complications, which has to be considered in management
5.4.5 Non-access-related bleeding events (Supplementary .. decisions.
..
Data) ..
.. 6.1.1 Routine invasive vs. selective invasive approach
..
5.4.6 Bleeding events related to percutaneous coronary .. (Supplementary Data)
intervention (Supplementary Data)
.. Routine invasive strategy means the patient is deemed to undergo
..
.. ICA. Following a selective invasive strategy, ICA will only be per-
.. formed after recurrent symptoms, objective evidence of inducible
5.4.7 Bleeding events related to coronary artery bypass ..
surgery (Supplementary Data) .. ischaemia on non-invasive testing, or detection of obstructive CAD
.. by CCTA. Multiple RCTs comparing a routine invasive with a selec-
..
.. tive invasive strategy have been conducted and their results have
5.4.8 Transfusion therapy (Supplementary Data) .. 266270
.. been pooled in several meta-analyses. The available evidence
.. (Supplementary Table 2) indicates that a routine invasive strategy:
5.4.9 Recommendations for bleeding management and ..
blood transfusion in non-ST-segment elevation acute cor-
.. • Does not reduce all-cause mortality risk in the overall population
..
onary syndromes for anticoagulated patients . of NSTE-ACS patients.
Recommendations for bleeding management and blood transfusion in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syn-
dromes for anticoagulated patients
In patients with dabigatran-associated ongoing life-threatening bleeding, the administration of the specific antidote for dabigatran
IIa B
idarucizumab should be considered.264
In patients with VKA-associated life-threatening bleeding events, rapid reversal of anticoagulation with four-factor prothrombin
complex concentrate rather than with fresh frozen plasma or recombinant activated factor VII should be considered. IIa C
In addition, repetitive 10 mg i.v. doses of vitamin K should be administered by slow injection.
In patients with NOAC-associated ongoing life-threatening bleeding, the administration of prothrombin complex concentrates or
IIa C
activated prothrombin complex concentrates should be considered when the specific antidote is unavailable.
In patients with rivaroxaban-, apixaban-, or edoxaban-associated ongoing life-threatening bleeding, the administration of the spe-
IIb B
cific antidote andexanet-alpha may be considered.265
In patients with anaemia and no evidence of active bleeding, blood transfusion may be considered in case of compromised haemo-
IIb C
dynamic status, haematocrit <25%, or haemoglobin level <8 g/dL.
i.v. = intravenous; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; VKA = vitamin K antagonist.
a
b
Level of evidence.
ESC Guidelines 35
..
• Increases the risk of periprocedural complications such as peri- .. perform revascularization is recommended, irrespective of ECG or
procedural MI and bleeding. .. biomarker findings. Centres without 24/7 PCI availability must trans-
..
• Reduces the risk of composite ischaemic endpoints, particularly .. fer the patient immediately.
in high-risk patients. ..
..
However, the currently available evidence is based on old RCTs
.. 6.1.2.2 Early invasive strategy (<24 h)
.. An early invasive strategy is defined as coronary angiography
that were conducted before critical improvements such as radial ..
access, modern drug-eluting stents (DES), complete functional revas-
.. performed within 24 h of hospital admission. It is recommended in
.. high-risk patients defined according to Figure 9. Multiple RCTs have
..

cularization for multivessel CAD, modern DAPT, intensified lipid
.. investigated the optimal timing of ICA and revascularization in NSTE-
lowering therapy, and contemporary biomarker assays and/or cut-off .. ACS (Figure 10, Supplementary Table 3). A main limitation for the
values for diagnosing spontaneous/periprocedural MI became ..
.. interpretation of these RCTs is the calculation of time to ICA, which
available. .. rather than being based on pain onset or on hospital admission time,
In summary, the results of RCTs and their meta-analyses highlight ..
.. was based on randomization time. While ICA was virtually always
the role of risk stratification in the decision process and support a .. performed within 24 h of randomization in the early invasive strategy
routine invasive strategy in high-risk patients. ..
.. groups, the time from randomization to ICA was more heterogene-
.. ous in the delayed invasive groups (Figure 10). The two largest RCTs,
..
.. with more than 1000 patients in each treatment group, are Timing of
6.1.2 Timing of invasive strategy .. Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes (TIMACS)
6.1.2.1 Immediate invasive strategy (<2 h) ..
.. and the more contemporary VERDICT trial.271,272 There are several
Very high-risk NSTE-ACS patients (i.e. with at least one very high- .. important messages that can be derived from these RCTs:
risk criterion according to Figure 9) have generally been excluded ..
..
from RCTs. Owing to a poor short- and long-term prognosis if left .. (1) Among unselected NSTE-ACS patients, an early invasive strategy is
untreated, an immediate invasive strategy (i.e. <2 h from hospital
.. not superior over a delayed invasive strategy with regard to compo-
..
admission, analogous to STEMI management) with the intent to . site clinical endpoints (Supplementary Table 3).271,272
©ESC 2020
Figure 9 Selection of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome treatment strategy and timing according to initial risk stratification. EMS =
emergency medical services; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; MI = myocardial infarction; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation
acute coronary syndrome; NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention. Listen to the audio guide
of this figure online.
36 ESC Guidelines

Figure 10 Time to coronary angiography in the early/immediate invasive and delayed invasive groups of included trials.271,272,279287 Bars depict inter-
quartile ranges and median times from randomization to coronary angiography in the early invasive group (red) and delayed invasive group (blue). In addi-
tion, description of the main finding of the primary endpoint with an early vs. delayed invasive strategy. Adapted and updated from Jobs et al.277 Based on
the individual patient-based meta-analysis patients with elevated biomarkers, GRACE score >140, age >75 years, and diabetes showed a mortality benefit
from an early invasive approach.277 ABOARD = Angioplasty to Blunt the Rise of Troponin in Acute Coronary Syndromes Randomized for an Immediate
or Delayed Intervention; CK-MB = creatine kinase myocardial band; EARLY = Early or Delayed Revascularization for Intermediate- and High-Risk Non-
ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes?; ELISA = Early or Late Intervention in unStable Angina; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary
Events; ISAR-COOL = Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen - Cooling off strategy; LIPSIA-NSTEMI = Leipzig Immediate versus early and
late PercutaneouS coronary Intervention triAl in NSTEMI; MACE = major adverse cardiovascular events; MI = myocardial infarction; PCI = percutaneous
coronary intervention; RIDDLE-NSTEMI = Randomized Study of Immediate Versus Delayed Invasive Intervention in Patients With Non-ST-Segment
Elevation Myocardial Infarction; SISCA = Comparison of Two Treatment Strategies in Patients With an Acute Coronary Syndrome Without ST Elevation;
TIMACS = Timing of Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes; VERDICT = Very EaRly vs Deferred Invasive evaluation using
Computerized Tomography.
..
(2) Benefit with an early invasive strategy is strongly associated with the .. Several meta-analyses have pooled data of multiple RCTs assessing
patient’s risk profile. In a pre-specified subgroup analysis, patients .. different timing intervals of ICA (Supplementary Table 4). None of
..
with a GRACE risk score >140 benefited from an early invasive .. them observed a benefit with an early invasive strategy with respect
strategy while those with a GRACE risk score <140 did not .. to the endpoints death, non-fatal MI, or stroke among unselected
..
(TIMACS trial: HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.480.89 vs. HR 1.12, 95% CI .. NSTE-ACS patients.274278 However, a collaborative meta-analysis
0.811.56, Pinteraction = 0.01;271 VERDICT trial: HR 0.81, 95% CI .. comparing an early/immediate invasive to a delayed invasive strategy
..
0.671.00 vs. HR 1.21, 95% CI 0.921.60; Pinteraction = 0.02).272 .. using a modified individual patient data approach observed a survival
With regard to the GRACE risk score, it must be highlighted that
.. benefit in high-risk patients, although tests for interaction were incon-
..
both RCTs calculated the original GRACE risk score for in-hospital .. clusive.277 Only the VERDICT trial studied the impact of timing on
death (see Supplementary Figure 3).139 Due to different weighting of
.. the endpoint hospital admission for heart failure and observed a
..
variables, scores of other GRACE risk scores (see Supplementary .. trend towards less heart failure hospitalization in favour of an early
Table 1 for more details) might be considerably different for the
.. invasive strategy (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.601.01).272Meta-analyses have
..
same patient, possibly leading to different treatment decisions. .. consistently reported that an early invasive strategy is associated with
Furthermore, in both studies, GRACE risk score calculation was
.. a lower risk of recurrent/refractory ischaemia and a shorter length of
..
based on elevations of CK-MB or conventional troponin. The value .. hospital stay.274276,278 Taken together, an early invasive strategy is
of a GRACE risk score >140 to guide timing of ICA and revasculari-
..
.. recommended in patients with at least one high-risk criterion
zation in the era of hs-cTn has not been determined. .. (Figure 9).
..
(3) Benefit with an early invasive strategy is not modified by ST- ..
segment/T-wave changes, despite the fact that ST-segment depres- .. 6.1.2.3 Selective invasive strategy
..
sion has been consistently identified as a predictor for an adverse .. Patients with no recurrence of symptoms and none of the very high-
outcome (Supplementary Figure 2). .. or high-risk criteria listed in the recommendation table regarding tim-
..
.. ing of invasive strategy are to be considered at low risk of short-term
In patients with transient ST-segment elevation and relief of symp- .. acute ischaemic events (Figure 9). These patients should be managed
..
toms, an immediate invasive strategy did not reduce CMR-assessed .. according to the 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and manage-
infarct size compared to an early invasive strategy.273 .. ment of CCS.231 In this setting, stress echocardiography or stress
ESC Guidelines 37
..
CMR may be preferred over non-invasive anatomical testing.109 With .. most common presentation.292 There are three angiographic types
routine use of hs-cTn and established diagnostic algorithms for .. of SCAD, which range from no obstruction to complete occlusion of
..
NSTE-ACS assessment, ongoing myocardial injury even low level .. the affected coronaries. SCAD Type 1 (contrast dye staining of the
can be identified. Therefore, patients previously regarded to be at .. arterial wall with multiple radiolucent lumen) and SCAD Type 2
..
intermediate risk (e.g. those with a history of revascularization or dia- .. (long diffuse and smooth narrowing) with non-obstructive coronary
betes mellitus), but ruled out according to a diagnostic algorithm .. arteries (stenosis <50%) are described as possible causes of MI with
..
using hs-cTn, should be regarded as low risk and follow a selective .. non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) (see section 7), while
invasive strategy.1 .. SCAD Type 2 with severe coronary obstruction (>50%) and SCAD
..

.. Type 3 (focal or tubular stenosis that mimics atherosclerosis) should
.. be considered separately. As SCAD may be missed or not be detect-
6.1.3 Pattern of coronary artery disease in ..
non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
.. able on CCTA, a negative CCTA should not exclude a diagnosis of
.. SCAD.293 Intracoronary imaging [optical coherence tomography
.. (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)] might be the most accu-
.. rate options in unclear situations to prove the presence of intramural
..
6.1.4 How to identify the culprit lesion? (Supplementary .. haematoma or double lumen.294 This may be fundamental to making
Data) .. a proper diagnosis.294
..
.. The optimal management of SCAD is still unclear, since no RCTs
..
have compared medical therapy to revascularization strategies.
6.1.5 Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
...
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is defined as a .. According to available data, with the exception of very high-risk pro-
non-atherosclerotic, non-traumatic, or iatrogenic separation of the .. file patients, a conservative approach should be the preferred strat-
..
coronary arterial tunics secondary to vasa vasorum haemorrhage or .. egy.295297 The decision to treat either with a conservative medical
intimal tear, which creates a false lumen, coronary compression, and .. approach or to perform PCI or CABG surgery must be individualized
..
downstream myocardial ischaemia.288,289 .. and based on both clinical and angiographic factors. A possible treat-
SCAD accounts for up to 4% of all ACS, but the incidence is .. ment algorithm is shown in Figure 11. Optimal medical treatment for
..
reported to be much higher (2235% of ACS) in women <60 years .. patients with SCAD is still undetermined, but because hypertension
of age, in pregnancy-related MI, and in patients with a history of fibro- .. is an independent predictor of recurrent SCAD,292,295,298 an aggres-
..
muscular dysplasia, anxiety, depression, or previous neuropsychiatric .. sive anti-hypertensive therapy should be considered to ensure opti-
disorders.290,291 Clinical presentations can vary considerably, but ele-
.. mal blood pressure control. Beta-blockers, which have been
..
vation of cardiac biomarkers associated with chest discomfort is the . reported to be significantly associated with a reduced risk of
©ESC 2020
Figure 11 Diagnosis and treatment of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome related to spontaneous coronary artery dis-
section. CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CAD = coronary artery disease; CCTA = coronary computed tomography angiography; DAPT = dual
antiplatelet therapy; ICA = invasive coronary angiography; IVUS = intravascular ultrasound; OCT = optical coherence tomography; OMT = optimal medi-
cal therapy; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; SCAD = spontaneous coronary artery dissection. aSelection of revascularization strategy for high-
risk anatomy according to local expertise. bBeta-blocker recommended while benefit of DAPT is questionable. cLeft main or proximal left anterior
descendent or circumflex or right coronary artery, multivessel SCAD. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
38 ESC Guidelines
..
recurrent events, should be the preferred antihypertensive class in .. Clinically driven target lesion revascularization or definite stent
this subset of patients.298 There is controversy regarding the benefit .. thrombosis was lower with the IVUS-guided strategy [1.2 vs. 2.6%,
..
of antithrombotic therapy among these patients,292,298 however, .. relative risk (RR) 0.46, 95% CI 0.211.03, P¼0.05]. However, only
among PCI-treated patients, the DAPT algorithms stated in section 5 .. 12% of the enrolled patients presented with STEMI or NSTE-ACS,
..
should be used. Among SCAD patients treated medically and having .. limiting its validity in NSTE-ACS settings.313
persistent or recurrent symptoms, even in the absence of recurrent .. OCT-guided PCI is safe and results in a similar minimum stent area
..
MI or ischaemia, CCTA might be considered for follow-up. .. to that of IVUS-guided PCI.314 In addition, OCT-guided PCI has been
.. shown to lead to higher post-PCI FFR compared to angio-guided PCI
..

.. among NSTE-ACS patients.315 Adequately powered trials for clinical
6.1.6 Fractional flow reserve, instantaneous wave-free .. endpoints, however, are lacking. Additionally, in patients with
ratio, and other resting indices (Supplementary Data) ..
.. MINOCA (see section 7), OCT is a diagnostic tool for evaluating
6.1.6.1 Fractional flow reserve .. SCAD, erosions, and plaque ruptures.312
Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the current standard for the ..
..
functional assessment of lesion severity in patients with intermediate- ..
grade stenosis (4090%) without evidence of ischaemia in non- .. 6.2 Conservative treatment
.. The established benefit associated with coronary revascularization in
invasive testing, or in those with multivessel disease. Due to ..
microvascular obstruction,299 the haemodynamic relevance of the .. NSTE-ACS patients has led to a significant reduction of medical man-
.. agement alone, from 60% two decades ago down to 1030% in the
culprit lesion in NSTE-ACS may be underestimated.300 However, it ..
appears reliable for non-culprit lesion estimation when compared to .. contemporary era of PCI.170,225,316319 Medical management com-
.. prises patients not undergoing coronary angiography, but also those
postponed repeat FFR, CMR perfusion, or SPECT.301304 In ACS ..
patients, deferred revascularization based on FFR or instantaneous .. with extensive CAD not amenable to revascularization or those
.. without obstructive CAD (see MINOCA, section 7).
wave-free ratio (iFR) is associated with worse clinical outcome com- ..
pared to patients with stable CAD.305308 Persistent instability of ..
..
non-haemodynamically significant stenoses or presence of more than .. 6.2.1 Patients who are not candidates for invasive
one unstable lesion may account for the higher risk.
..
.. coronary angiography
The majority of the evidence relating to the value of FFR in NSTE- .. This group represents a small subgroup, where data indicating a
ACS is derived from small subgroups of registries and randomized tri-
..
.. hypothetical advantage of an invasive strategy are scarce. Depending
als (Supplementary Table 5). In the small Fractional flow reserve versus .. on country and world region specific differences, advanced age,
angiography in guiding management to optimize outcomes in non-
..
.. female sex, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, prior
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (FAMOUS-NSTEMI) randomized .. heart failure/revascularization, history of cancer, and frailty are the
trial,309 significantly more NSTEMI patients were treated medically
..
.. major reported reasons accounting for withholding diagnostic
with FFR vs. an angio-guided PCI strategy (22.7 vs. 13.2%, P¼0.022). .. ICA.170,225,316,318,319 These features largely overlap with the predic-
..
This strategy of functional revascularization seems to be safe without .. tors of bleeding and ischaemic adverse events320 and explain the
any impact on clinical outcomes in NSTE-ACS. However, adequately .. poor prognosis of this population, with in-hospital mortality of 69%
..
powered dedicated randomized trials are still lacking. .. that rises up to 20 and 50% at 6 months and 3 years, respectively.321
.. Medical management should be chosen after careful risk assessment,
..
6.1.6.2 Instantaneous wave-free ratio and other resting indices .. keeping in mind that ICA using the radial approach is a low-risk pro-
There has been renewed interest in resting indices derived from rest- .. cedure, that impaired LV function increases mortality risk, and that
..
ing gradients alone [distal coronary to aortic pressure ratio (Pd/Pa), .. coronary anatomy and presence of diabetes may refine the risk strati-
iFR, coronary flow reserve (CFR), resting full-cycle ratio (RFR), or .. fication and the choice of pharmacological therapy (see Figures 57).
..
the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR)]. Two large-scale .. Advanced age or female sex alone, in the absence of severe comor-
randomized trials showed broadly comparable results between FFR- .. bidities or frailty, should not be considered as a sufficient reason not
..
guided and iFR-guided revascularization strategies in patients with .. to perform ICA and, likewise, ICA should not be denied for logistical
intermediate-grade stenosis.310,311 In these trials, the proportion of .. 322,323
.. reasons.
ACS patients was 1517%, the non-culprit lesions were investigated, ..
and follow-up was limited to a 1-year duration. For resting indices
..
.. 6.2.2 Patients with coronary artery disease not amenable
other than iFR, randomized clinical outcome data are not available. ..
.. to revascularization
.. Patients diagnosed with severe CAD who are not amenable to any
..
6.1.7 Intracoronary imaging .. type of revascularization are at very high risk of recurrent ischaemic
Both intracoronary imaging methods, IVUS and OCT, allow real-time .. events.324 Frequently, these patients are women, old and/or suffering
..
tomographic assessment of vessel size, lumen area, plaque composi- .. from severe CKD, with multivessel CAD, and a history of MI or prior
tion and volume, as well as stent coverage and expansion.312 .. revascularization. The decision not to perform PCI is an independent
..
IVUS-guided PCI has been reported to reduce target vessel failure .. predictor of increased cardiovascular mortality, both in-hospital and
12 months after PCI compared to angio-guided PCI in the .. long-term.188,318 Accordingly, the decision not to perform revascula-
..
Intravascular Ultrasound Guided Drug Eluting Stents Implantation in .. rization should be made in very selected patients only, where there is
“All-Comers” Coronary Lesions (ULTIMATE) randomized trial: 2.9
.. consensus that risk outweighs the benefit for clinical or anatomical
..
vs. 5.4%, respectively (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.310.90, P¼0.019).313 . reasons. These patients should undergo an aggressive secondary
ESC Guidelines 39
..
prevention treatment with potent antiplatelet therapy (see .. stage complete revascularization can be reduced by staged complete
Figures 58) and anti-anginal agents, taking their comorbidities into .. revascularization needs to be further evaluated.
..
account.325,326 .. In contrast to the STEMI setting,342344 there is only one dedi-
.. cated randomized trial examining the role of single vs. staged multi-
..
6.3 Technical aspects .. vessel PCI in NSTE-ACS patients [Impact of Different Treatment in
.. Multivessel Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: One
6.3.1 Technical aspects and challenges ..
The principal technical aspects of PCI in NSTE-ACS patients do not .. Stage Versus Multistaged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
.. (SMILE) trial].345 The complete single-stage coronary revasculariza-
differ from the invasive assessment and revascularization strategies ..

for other manifestations of CAD. In patients presenting with NSTE- .. tion resulted in less major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascu-
.. lar events (defined as cardiac death, death, reinfarction,
ACS who are deemed eligible for PCI in one or more vessels, implan- ..
tation of new-generation DES is the standard of care,159,327,328 while .. rehospitalization for unstable angina, repeat coronary revasculariza-
.. tion, and stroke at 1 year) compared to complete coronary revascu-
routine thrombectomy has not been proven beneficial in this set- ..
ting.329,330 The combination and duration of antithrombotic treat- .. larization in multistage PCI during the index hospitalization (HR 0.55,
.. 95% CI 0.360.83, P¼0.004).345 This benefit was largely determined
ment are explained in section 5. ..
.. by a significant reduction in repeat revascularization with single-stage
.. multivessel PCI (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.310.88, P¼0.01).345 However,
6.3.2 Vascular access
..
.. since pursuing completeness of revascularization for some patients
A timely performance of PCI and the use of potent antithrombotic .. with complex coronary anatomy may increase the risk of PCI or
drugs have reduced ischaemic risk in patients with NSTE-ACS.
..
.. require CABG, it is reasonable, in the absence of robust clinical data,
However, this strategy is also invariably associated with an increased .. to tailor the need for, and timing of, complete revascularization to
bleeding risk, which affects prognosis at least as much as ischaemic
..
.. functional relevance of all stenoses, age, general patient condition and
complications and is associated with impaired survival.331333 Among ..
.. comorbidities, and LV function. Furthermore, selection of the revas-
patients undergoing PCI, access-related bleeding accounts for .. cularization modality may rely on patient preference. For NSTE-ACS
3070% of total bleeding events.334 There is accumulative evidence ..
.. patients presenting with CS, randomized evidence does not support
showing that reducing access-site bleeding events with the use of .. routine immediate multivessel PCI (see details in section 8.1).346
radial access translates into significant clinical benefits. Two large ..
..
randomized trials, the RadIal Vs femorAL access for coronary inter- ..
vention (RIVAL) trial (n=7021 ACS patients) and the MATRIX trial .. 6.4 Coronary artery bypass grafting
.. Approximately 510% of NSTE-ACS patients require CABG347 and
(n=8404 ACS patients)335,336 have demonstrated significantly lower ..
rates of access site-related bleeding, surgical access site repair, and .. these represent a challenging subgroup given their high-risk charac-
.. teristics compared with patients undergoing elective CABG. In the
blood transfusion with radial compared to femoral access. A pairwise ..
meta-analysis comparing radial vs. femoral access in the whole spec- .. absence of randomized data, optimal timing for non-emergency
.. CABG in NSTE-ACS patients should be determined individually.348
trum of patients with CAD, including 30-day follow-up of the ..
MATRIX trial, showed a significant reduction in major bleeds; death, .. The risk of ischaemic events, possibly related to suboptimal antiplate-
.. let therapy while awaiting surgery, is less than 0.1%, while periopera-
MI, or stroke; and all-cause mortality favouring radial vs. femoral ..
access.337 Although this effect was diluted at 1-year follow-up, net
.. tive bleeding complications associated with platelet inhibitors is
.. higher than 10%.349 In patients with ongoing ischaemia or haemody-
clinical adverse events remained lower with a radial vs. femoral access ..
site.336 Therefore, radial access is recommended as the preferred
.. namic instability and with an indication for CABG, emergency surgery
..
approach in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing invasive assessment with .. should be performed and not postponed as a consequence of antipla-
or without PCI. However, dependent on their haemodynamic situa-
.. telet treatment exposure.
..
tion during index PCI and procedural technical aspects, femoral .. If CABG is to be performed, every effort should be made to mini-
access might be selectively chosen instead of radial access.
.. mize aortic manipulation, work off-pump if there is a calcified aorta
..
.. or the patient is high risk, achieve complete revascularization, and use
.. graft flow measurement.
6.3.3 Revascularization strategies ..
..
Based on observational studies of patients with NSTE-ACS, the bene- ..
fit of early intervention when compared to a conservative .. 6.5 Percutaneous coronary intervention
..
approach may mandate a complete revascularization strategy, irre- .. vs. coronary artery bypass surgery
spective of the possibility to identify and/or treat the culprit .. There is no randomized comparison of PCI vs. CABG surgery in the
..
lesion.268,277,338340 Recently, data from the British Cardiac .. specific setting of NSTE-ACS. In the individual patient data analysis
Intervention Society PCI database showed significantly lower cumula- .. from the Randomized Comparison of Coronary Artery Bypass
..
tive mortality rates with single-stage complete revascularization com- .. Surgery and Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment
pared to culprit-lesion-only PCI (22.5 vs. 25.9%, P=0.0005) at a .. of Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery (BEST), Premier of
..
median follow-up of 4.1 years (interquartile range 2.25.8) among .. Randomized Comparison of Bypass Surgery versus Angioplasty
21 857 NSTE-ACS patients with multivessel CAD undergoing PCI. .. Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients with Left Main Coronary
..
This long-term benefit was observed despite an initial increase in in- .. Artery Disease (PRECOMBAT), and Synergy between PCI with
hospital mortality with single-stage complete revascularization (2.3
.. Taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) trials, which compared PCI
..
vs. 1.5%, P¼0.002).341 Whether this initial increased risk with single- . with CABG, of the 3280 patients with multivessel CAD or left main
40 ESC Guidelines
..
disease, only 77 patients (2.2%) presented with NSTEMI and 1169 .. delayed invasive strategy, as recently shown in the randomized
patients (35.7%) presented with unstable angina.350 Among NSTE- .. Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest (COACT) trial.278 This
..
ACS patients, at 5-year follow-up, the risk of death, MI, or stroke was .. trial enrolled 552 patients who had been successfully resuscitated
significantly reduced with CABG compared to PCI (HR 0.74, 95% CI .. after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and had no signs of STEMI. No dif-
..
0.560.98, P¼0.036). The difference was driven by a reduction in MI .. ference in 90-day survival was observed between these two strat-
rates with CABG (3.8% vs. 7.5%, HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.310.82, .. egies, 64.5% in the immediate vs. 67.2% in the delayed angiography
..
P¼0.006).350 In a population-based analysis, the benefit of CABG .. strategy (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.621.27, P=0.51).358 Therefore, it
over PCI was confirmed in patients with diabetes who presented .. appears reasonable to delay performance of ICA among NSTE-ACS
..

with ACS. At 3-year follow-up, the combined incidence of all-cause .. patients.358 However, several ongoing trials will further define a pos-
death, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke was lower with CABG com- .. sible benefit of an early invasive approach.359
..
pared with PCI (20.8 vs. 33.4%, P<0.01).351 Taken together, evidence .. In comatose survivors, echocardiography should be performed
is limited from these aforementioned RCTs to support one revascu- .. immediately for further evaluation of differential diagnoses. If aortic
..
larization strategy over the other, especially in NSTEMI patients. .. dissection or pulmonary embolism is suspected, CT is
Thus, the currently available evidence indirectly suggests that the .. recommended.360,361
..
criteria applied in patients with stable CAD to guide the choice of ..
revascularization modality (2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on myocar-
..
.. 6.7 Recommendations for coronary
dial revascularization)205 should also be applied to stabilized patients ..
with NSTE-ACS, particularly for patients with diabetes.350354
.. revascularization
..
For complex cases, Heart Team discussion and use of the .
SYNTAX score are recommended, particularly given its ability to
predict death, MI, and revascularization in multivessel CAD NSTE- Recommendations for coronary revascularization
ACS patients undergoing PCI.355 Furthermore, calculation of a
Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score is recommended to assess
in-hospital or 30-day mortality, and in-hospital morbidity after CABG Timing of invasive strategy
among high-risk patients.356 Clinical and anatomical characteristics in An immediate invasive strategy (<2 h) is recom-
favour of CABG are considered to be diabetes, reduced LV ejection mended in patients with at least one of the follow-
fraction (LVEF) (<40%), contraindications to DAPT, recurrent diffuse ing very high-risk criteria:
in-stent restenosis, anatomical and technical aspects likely resulting in • Haemodynamic instability or CS.
incomplete revascularization with PCI, and the need for concomitant • Recurrent or refractory chest pain despite
cardiovascular surgery. Those in favour of PCI are clinical and ana- medical treatment.
tomical characteristics, such as presence of severe comorbidity (not I C
• Life-threatening arrhythmias.
reflected by scores), advanced age/frailty or reduced life expectancy, • Mechanical complications of MI.
restricted mobility, conditions that affect the rehabilitation process, • Heart failure clearly related to NSTE-ACS.
anatomical and technical aspects likely resulting in incomplete revas- • Presence of ST-segment depression >1 mm
cularization with CABG surgery due to poor quality or missing con- in >_6 leads additional to ST-segment eleva-
duits, severe chest deformation or scoliosis, sequelae of chest tion in aVR and/or V1.
radiation, and porcelain aorta. An early invasive strategy within 24 h is recom-
mended in patients with any of the following high-
6.6 Specific situations risk criteria:
6.6.1 Management of patients with ongoing myocardial • Diagnosis of NSTEMI suggested by the diag-
ischaemia nostic algorithm recommended in section 3.
I A
These patients are characterized by an overwhelming risk of develop- • Dynamic or presumably new contiguous
ing STEMI, onset of life-threatening arrhythmias, acute heart failure, ST/T-segment changes suggesting ongoing
and CS. They should undergo coronary angiography within 2 h of ischaemia.
hospital admission with intent to perform revascularization. Based on • Transient ST-segment elevation.273,362
published data, this approach reduces in-hospital mortality and mor- • GRACE risk score >140.271,272,277
tality at early and mid-term follow-up,281,357 as well as reducing the A selective invasive strategy after appropriate
risk of new MI in the pre-catheterization period and the length of ischaemia testing or detection of obstructive CAD
I A
hospital stay.278 by CCTA is recommended in patients considered
at low risk.267,268,363
Delayed as opposed to immediate angiography
6.6.2 Management of patients with cardiac arrest
should be considered among haemodynamically
The management of patients presenting with resuscitated cardiac
stable patients without ST-segment elevation suc- IIa B
arrest and concomitant NSTE-ACS needs to be individualized
cessfully resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac
according to their haemodynamic and neurological status.
arrest.358,364
In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and no ST-elevation without CS,
Continued
an unselected immediate invasive strategy is not superior over a
ESC Guidelines 41
..
Technical aspects .. pathological conditions, with the latter including cardiac and extra-
.. cardiac disorders.370 Compared with patients with obstructive CAD,
Radial access is recommended as the standard ..
approach, unless there are overriding procedural I A .. NSTE-ACS patients diagnosed with MINOCA are more likely to be
.. younger and female, and less likely diabetic, hypertensive, or dyslipi-
considerations.336,337 ..
.. daemic,371,372 suggesting a predominant role of non-atherosclerotic-
DES are recommended over bare-metal stents for .. related aetiologies and of unusual or usual risk factors like psychoso-
any PCI irrespective of: ..
.. cial aspects, insulin-resistance, and inflammation.373 However, all
• Clinical presentation. ..
.. studies assessing prognosis in patients with MINOCA are consider-
• Lesion type. I A

.. ably heterogeneous in terms of inclusion criteria, outcomes measure-
• Planned non-cardiac surgery. ..
.. ments, and length of follow-up; some report the prevalence of hard
• Anticipated duration of DAPT.
.. endpoints like mortality or reinfarction,374,375 but few report out-
• Concomitant anticoagulant therapy.354,365,366 ..
.. comes for both MINOCA and CAD populations.376 Although associ-
It is recommended to base the revascularization
.. ated with better prognosis compared to patients with ACS patients
strategy (ad hoc culprit lesion PCI/multivessel PCI/ .. with obstructive CAD,371,372,376379 MINOCA patients have a lower
CABG) on the patient’s clinical status and comor- ..
.. survival rate than healthy individuals matched for age and
bidities, as well as their disease severity [i.e. the .. sex.371,372,376379 Of importance, this excess of adverse events has
distribution and angiographic lesion characteristics I B ..
.. been reported at both early and late follow-up.371,372,376379
(e.g. SYNTAX score)], according to the principles .. The term MINOCA has been broadly used in the past and is often
for stable CAD.350 However, the decision on
..
.. misclassified, limiting all aspects of disease description, management,
immediate PCI of the culprit stenosis does not .. and treatment. Despite having a contemporary position statement
require Heart Team consultation.
..
.. from the ESC and the AHA, great variability exists in the manner in
Complete revascularization should be considered ..
.. which patients with suspected MINOCA are evaluated and
in NSTE-ACS patients without CS and with multi- IIa C .. treated.380,381 The extent of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies
vessel CAD. ..
.. implemented often depends on local non-standardized practices and
Intracoronary imaging should be considered to
IIa C
.. varies widely.
diagnose SCAD if suspected. ..
.. The ESC position statement on MINOCA proposed the following
Complete revascularization during index PCI may .. MINOCA criteria:380
IIb B
..
be considered in NSTE-ACS patients with multi- ..
vessel disease.345 .. (1) AMI criteria as defined by the ‘Third universal definition of MI’.369
.. (2) Non-obstructive coronary arteries as per angiographic guidelines,
FFR-guided revascularization of a non-culprit ..
NSTE-ACS lesion may be used during index IIb B .. with no lesions >_50% in a major epicardial vessel.
.. (3) No other clinically overt specific cause that can serve an alternative
PCI.302 ..
.. cause for the acute presentation.
CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CAD = coronary artery disease; ..
CCTA = coronary computed tomography angiography; CS = cardiogenic shock; .. Based on this ESC definition, myocarditis and Takotsubo syn-
DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; DES = drug-eluting stent; FFR = fractional flow ..
reserve; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; MI = myocardial
.. drome patients, among other non-ischaemic conditions, were
.. labelled as MINOCA.380
infarction; NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; NSTE- ..
ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; PCI = percutaneous .. However, fundamental to the definition of MINOCA is the diagno-
coronary intervention; SCAD = spontaneous coronary artery dissection; .. sis of MI with elevated cardiac biomarkers, typically cardiac troponin
SYNTAX = Synergy between PCI with Taxus and cardiac surgery. ..
a
Class of recommendation. .. >99th percentile of the upper reference level with a rise or fall in the
b
Level of evidence. .. level on serial assessment. Although elevated troponin levels are indi-
..
.. cative of myocyte injury with release of this intracellular protein into
.. the systemic circulation, the process is not disease specific and can
..
.. result from either ischaemic or non-ischaemic mechanisms.
..
.. Therefore, the most recent scientific statement from the AHA
7 Myocardial infarction with .. provides a formal and updated definition for the broadly labelled
..
non-obstructive coronary arteries .. term MINOCA incorporating the Fourth Universal Definition of
.. Myocardial Infarction.381 Table 14 provides the current criteria for
and alternative diagnoses ..
.. the MINOCA definition, which by consensus now excludes myocar-
Although the occurrence of an AMI without significant CAD was ini- .. ditis and Takotsubo syndrome from the final diagnosis of
..
tially reported almost 80 years ago,367 and outcomes were definitely .. MINOCA.381 Interestingly, in some patients, Takotsubo syndrome
described 13 years ago,368 the term MINOCA has only been used
.. may be triggered by NSTEMI or STEMI.382 Furthermore, with regard
..
recently to describe these patients.369 Accordingly, MINOCA is ini- .. to Takotsubo syndrome, there are no RCTs to support a specific
tially considered at the time of angiography as a working diagnosis
.. treatment and, therefore, all recommendations so far are based on
..
until further assessment excludes other possible causes for troponin .. expert opinions.383
elevation. This incorporates a heterogeneous group of underlying
.. It also provides a clinically useful framework and algorithms per-
..
causes that may involve both coronary and non-coronary .. taining to the diagnostic evaluation and management of these
.
42 ESC Guidelines
Table 14 Diagnostic criteria of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries
The diagnosis of MINOCA is made in patients with AMI fulfilling the following criteria:
1. AMI (modified from the ‘Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction’ criteria):
• Detection of a rise or fall in cardiac troponin with at least one value above the 99th percentile upper reference limit and
• Corroborative clinical evidence of infarction as shown by at least one of the following:
a. Symptoms of myocardial ischaemia
b. New ischaemic electrocardiographic changes

c. Development of pathological Q waves
d. Imaging evidence of new loss of viable myocardium or new regional wall motion abnormality in a pattern consistent with an ischae-
mic cause
e. Identification of a coronary thrombus by angiography or autopsy
2. Non-obstructive coronary arteries on angiography:
• Defined as the absence of obstructive disease on angiography (i.e. no coronary artery stenosis >_50%) in any major epicardial vessela
This includes patients with:
• Normal coronary arteries (no angiographic stenosis)
• Mild luminal irregularities (angiographic stenosis <30% stenoses)
• Moderate coronary atherosclerotic lesions (stenoses >30% but <50%)
3. No specific alternate diagnosis for the clinical presentation:
• Alternate diagnoses include, but are not limited to, non-ischaemic causes such as sepsis, pulmonary embolism, and myocarditis
AMI = acute myocardial infarction; MINOCA = myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.
a
Note that additional review of the angiogram may be required to ensure the absence of obstructive disease.
..
patients, which mainly includes a ‘traffic light’ clinical algorithm .. demand or elevation of cardiac troponin should be considered as
(Figure 12). .. potential causes of myocardial injury, such as hypertensive crisis,
..
Based on the initial working diagnosis, proper initial assessment of .. tachyarrhythmias, sepsis, severe anaemia, and cardiac contusion,
LV wall motion should be promptly performed in the acute setting .. among others.
..
using LV angiography, depending on renal function, or echocardiogra- .. Patients with an initial diagnosis of MINOCA, and an underlying
phy. Regional wall motion abnormalities may indicate an epicardial .. cause identified during the diagnostic work-up, should be treated and
..
cause of MINOCA or other specific causes, which may lead to the .. followed up according to the guidelines of the specific diagnosis. For
exclusion of MINOCA. CMR is one of the key diagnostic tools in this .. example, MINOCA patients discharged with a final diagnosis of
..
algorithm for the differential diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome,384 .. NSTE-ACS or MINOCA of unknown cause should be followed up as
myocarditis,385,386 or true MI.387 CMR has the ability to identify the .. ACS patients with obstructive CAD.
..
underlying cause in as many as 87% of patients with MINOCA.388 In .. However, despite optimal work-up, the cause of MINOCA
the sub-endocardium, late gadolinium enhancement may indicate an .. remains undetermined in 825% of patients.5,380,395 This condi-
..
ischaemic cause, while sub-epicardial localization may indicate cardio- .. tion, identified as ‘myocardial infarction of unknown/unclear
myopathies or myocarditis, and the absence of relevant late gadoli-
.. causes’, represents a therapeutic dilemma. Treatment should tar-
..
nium enhancement with oedema and associated specific wall motion .. get the most probable causes of MINOCA, with negative provoca-
abnormalities is a hallmark of Takotsubo syndrome.387,388 In a meta-
.. tive tests and CMR, namely vasospastic angina, coronary plaque
..
analysis of five studies involving 556 patients with an initial diagnosis .. disruption, and thromboembolism. The benefit of DAPT (aspirin
of MINOCA, CMR identified myocarditis as the primary cause in 33%
.. þ P2Y12 receptor inhibitor) should be considered based on
..
of patients.389 .. pathophysiological considerations. However, evidence is scarce.
Intracoronary acetylcholine or ergonovine testing may be per-
.. Pharmacological therapy with aspirin, statins, angiotensin-
..
formed when coronary or microvascular spasm is suspected.390,391 .. converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor block-
..
Intracoronary imaging with IVUS392 or OCT393,394 may also be valua- .. ers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers (in case vasospasm is still
ble for the detection of unrecognized causes at coronary angiogra- .. suspected) as routine treatment may be suggested.396 These medi-
..
phy, especially when thrombus, plaque rupture or erosion, or SCAD .. cations have shown significant long-term beneficial effects in terms
are suspected. .. of all-cause mortality (statins, beta-blockers), cardiovascular death
..
Pulmonary embolism should also be considered as an alternative .. (statins), AMI (beta-blockers), stroke (statins), and MACE (statins,
diagnosis as a possible cause of myocardial injury, and this diagnosis .. ACE inhibitor/ARB) at 12 months in a national registry.397
..
may be excluded with additional D-dimer testing, BNP, and/or CT .. However, this registry did not apply current MINOCA criteria,397
pulmonary angiography,361 as appropriate. Furthermore, other con- .. therefore, the conclusions drawn must be interpreted with
..
ditions with an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and .. caution.
.
ESC Guidelines 43

Figure 12 Diagnostic algorithm for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries using a traffic light scheme. Red indicates immediate
alternative diagnosis without further additional testing. Yellow indicates initial working diagnosis that may lead to the final MINOCA diagnosis or alternative
diagnoses. Green indicates final MINOCA diagnosis. CAD = coronary artery disease; IVUS = intravascular ultrasound; MINOCA = myocardial infarction
with non-obstructive coronary arteries; CMR = cardiac magnetic resonance; Echo = echocardiogram; LV = left ventricular; OCT = optical coherence
tomography; SCAD = spontaneous coronary artery dissection; ULN = upper limit of normal. Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
Recommendations for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries
In all patients with an initial working diagnosis of MINOCA, it is recommended to follow a diagnostic algorithm to differentiate true
I C
MINOCA from alternative diagnoses.
It is recommended to perform CMR in all MINOCA patients without an obvious underlying cause.370 I B
It is recommended to manage patients with an initial diagnosis of MINOCA and a final established underlying cause according to the
I C
disease-specific guidelines.
Patients with a final diagnosis of MINOCA of unknown cause may be treated according to secondary prevention guidelines for athe-
IIb C
rosclerotic disease.
CMR = cardiac magnetic resonance; MINOCA = myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.
a
b
Level of evidence.
..
8 Special populations .. mortality compared with NSTE-ACS without acute heart
.. failure.398401
..
8.1 Heart failure and cardiogenic shock .. The diagnosis of NSTE-ACS in the context of acute heart failure
Acute heart failure is a frequent complication of NSTE-ACS and is .. can be challenging because patients with acute heart failure may
..
associated with a two to four-fold higher risk of in-hospital . present with chest discomfort, myocardial injury with troponin
44 ESC Guidelines
elevation can occur in the absence of obstructive CAD,3 and the .. Recommendations for non-ST-segment elevation acute
ECG may not be interpretable (bundle branch block or paced
.. coronary syndrome patients with heart failure or car-
.. diogenic shock
rhythm).402 Consequently, coronary angiography may be required to ..
..
establish a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS. .. Recommendations Classa Levelb
The management of acute heart failure should follow current ..
.. Emergency coronary angiography is recom-
guideline recommendations.403,404 Emergency echocardiography ..
should be performed to gather information about the LVEF, regional .. mended in patients with CS complicating I B
.. ACS.205,416,417
wall motion abnormalities, right ventricular function, presence of ..

valvular heart disease, and volume loading.96,205,405 The revasculariza- .. Emergency PCI of the culprit lesion is recommended
..
tion strategy should be based on the coronary anatomy, LV function, .. for patients with CS due to NSTE-ACS, independent I B
comorbidities, functional relevance of stenoses, and estimated surgi- .. of the time delay from symptom onset, if the coro-
..
cal risk according to a Heart Team consensus, and based upon cur- .. nary anatomy is amenable to PCI.205,417
rent recommendations.205 .. Emergency CABG is recommended for patients
..
CS may occur in up to 4% of patients with NSTE-ACS.406,407 .. with CS if the coronary anatomy is not amenable I B
Ischaemia-related heart failure, acute severe mitral regurgitation, and .. to PCI.205,417
..
mechanical complications are the major precipitating causes. These .. It is recommended to perform emergency echocar-
patients should be transferred, as soon as possible, to a tertiary care ..
.. diography without delay to assess LV and valvular I C
centre where ICA can be performed. In hub centres, immediate cor- .. function and exclude mechanical complications.
onary angiography is indicated and PCI should be performed. Nearly
..
.. In cases of haemodynamic instability, emergency
80% of such patients have multivessel CAD. Based on the Culprit .. surgical or catheter-based repair of mechanical
Lesion Only PCI versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock
.. I C
.. complications of ACS is recommended, as
(CULPRIT-SHOCK) trial,408 non-culprit lesions should not be rou- .. decided by the Heart Team.
tinely treated immediately, and the immediate PCI strategy should be
..
.. For NSTE-ACS-related mechanical complications,
limited to the culprit lesion only. In CULPRIT-SHOCK, culprit-lesion- .. IIa C
only PCI led to a significant reduction in all-cause death or renal-
.. the use of IABP should be considered.
.. In selected patients with ACS and CS, short-term
replacement therapy at 30-day follow-up, favouring culprit-lesion- ..
.. mechanical circulatory support may be consid-
only PCI with possible staged revascularization [RR 0.83, (95% CI .. ered, depending on patient age, comorbidities, IIb C
0.710.96)].408 The risk of all-cause death in the culprit-lesion-only ..
.. neurological function, and the prospects for long-
PCI strategy was significantly lower compared to immediate multives- .. term survival and predicted quality of life.
sel PCI at 30-day follow-up (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.720.98, P¼0.03). ..
.. Routine use of IABP in patients with CS and no
Results for the composite endpoint were maintained at 1-year .. mechanical complications due to ACS is not III B
follow-up, whereas the mortality difference was mainly confined to ..
.. recommended.413,414,415
the first 30 days.346,408 ..
In patients with a coronary anatomy not suitable for PCI, emer- .. Routine immediate revascularization of non-cul-
.. prit lesions in NSTE-ACS patients with multivessel
gency CABG is indicated. .. III B
Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices and/or .. disease presenting with CS is not
.. recommended.346,408
venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be consid- ..
ered in selected patients, depending on age, comorbidities, neurologi- .. ACS = acute coronary syndromes; CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing);
..
cal function, and severity of CS. Several RCTs are ongoing .. CS = cardiogenic shock; IABP = intra-aortic balloon pump; LV = left ventricular;
(Supplementary Table 6). Currently, no survival benefit has been dem- .. NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; PCI = percu-
.. taneous coronary intervention.
onstrated for these devices compared with intra-aortic balloon a .. Class of recommendation.
pump (IABP) use.409,410 Moreover, in a large retrospective registry of
b .. Level of evidence.
..
48 306 haemodynamically unstable patients (44% NSTEMI) under- ..
going PCI, higher mortality and bleeding rates were observed with
..
..
Impella support compared to IABP.411 Similar results were observed .. 8.2 Diabetes mellitus
..
in another registry confined to CS patients where Impella support .. Patients with diabetes more frequently present with non-typical
was also associated with more complications and higher mortality, .. symptoms than patients without diabetes. They more frequently
..
even after propensity matching.412 .. have multifocal CAD,418 less frequently receive guideline-indicated
As shown in the Intraaortic Balloon Pump in cardiogenic shock .. care, and have worse clinical outcomes.419 Nonetheless, the selec-
..
(IABP-SHOCK) II trial, IABP does not reduce 30-day, 1-year, or 6- .. tion of antithrombotics and an invasive strategy should not differ
year mortality.413415 Therefore, IABP is not recommended on a .. from those without diabetes. Compared with clopidogrel, more
..
routine basis, while its use in situations of ACS-related mechanical .. potent platelet inhibitors have higher absolute risk reductions in
complications should be considered. .. patients with diabetes.420,421
..
For NSTE-ACS and stabilized heart failure, evidence-based phar- .. On admission to hospital, it is recommended that all patients with
macotherapies including beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and .. NSTE-ACS have their glycaemic status evaluated, regardless of a his-
..
mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) should be offered in .. tory of diabetes, and for it to be monitored frequently in patients
keeping with current guidelines.404 .. with diabetes or hyperglycaemia. Given that, during the acute phase
ESC Guidelines 45
..
of NSTEMI, there may be hyperglycaemia, there is the potential for a .. Hs-cTn assays maintain high diagnostic and prognostic accuracy
false positive diagnosis of diabetes. Therefore, the diagnosis of diabe- .. and, therefore, clinical utility in patients with renal dysfunction.35,89,439
..
tes should be confirmed subsequent to the hospital stay. In critically .. A threshold of <5 ng/L may rule out myocardial injury in this popula-
ill patients, there is a risk of hypoglycaemia-related events when using .. tion.89 Moreover, patients with troponin concentrations >99th per-
..
intensive insulin therapy.422 It is not unreasonable to manage hyper- .. centile have a two-fold greater risk of cardiac events at 1 year,
glycaemia in patients with NSTE-ACS by keeping their blood glucose .. irrespective of the diagnosis.89
..
concentration <11.0 mmol/L or <200 mg/dL) while avoiding hypogly- .. Patients with advanced kidney disease are less likely to receive an
caemia, but intensive insulin therapy should not routinely be offered .. invasive strategy.440 Whilst the overall 1-year mortality is lower with
..

unless clinically indicated. Intensive lipid modification is indicated for .. an invasive strategy, the benefit of such a strategy declines with
secondary prevention.423 A multifactorial approach to diabetes melli-
.. greater reductions in renal function, and with no impact on mortality
..
tus management, with treatment targets, should be considered in .. among patients with eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m2 and in those receiv-
patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
.. ing dialysis.
..
.. When an invasive strategy is selected, measures should be taken
.. to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy, for which adequate hydra-
..
Recommendations for diabetes mellitus in non-ST-seg- .. tion is the main approach.441446 High-dose statins, irrespective of
ment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients .. the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, are indicated for secondary
..
Classa Levelb
.. prevention.442 For detailed recommendations for contrast-induced
Recommendations ..
.. nephropathy prevention, consult the 2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines
It is recommended to screen all patients with .. on myocardial revascularization, section 10.2.205
NSTE-ACS for diabetes and to monitor blood glu-
..
I C .. The choice and dose of antithrombotic drugs should be carefully
cose levels frequently in patients with known dia- .. considered in patients with CKD, as these patients have an
betes or admission hyperglycaemia.
..
.. increased risk of bleeding. While most anticoagulants need dose
Avoidance of hypoglycaemia is .. adjustment in patients with renal insufficiency, this is not the case for
I B ..
recommended.424427 .. oral antiplatelet agents.447 However, for patients with stage 5 CKD
Glucose-lowering therapy should be considered .. (i.e. eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2), there are insufficient safety and effi-
..
in ACS patients with blood glucose >10 mmol/L . cacy data for the use of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors.
(>180 mg/dL), with the target adapted to comor- IIa B ...
..
bidities, while episodes of hypoglycaemia should .. Recommendations for patients with chronic kidney dis-
be avoided.422,428430 .. ease and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
..
A multifactorial approach to diabetes mellitus man- .. syndrome
agement, with treatment targets, should be consid- IIa B
..
.. Recommendations Classa Levelb
ered in patients with diabetes and CVD.431436 ..
..
Less stringent glucose control should be consid- .. Risk stratification in CKD
ered, both in the acute phase and at follow-up, in .. It is recommended to apply the same diagnostic
IIa C ..
patients with more advanced CVD, older age, lon- .. and therapeutic strategies in patients with CKD
ger diabetes duration, and more comorbidities. .. (dose adjustment may be necessary) as for
I C
..
ACS = acute coronary syndromes; CVD = cardiovascular disease; NSTE-ACS =
.. patients with normal renal function.
..
non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. .. It is recommended to assess kidney function by
I C
a
Class of recommendation. .. eGFR in all patients.
b
Level of evidence. ..
.. Myocardial revascularization in patients with CKD
..
.. Use of low- or iso-osmolar contrast media (at
8.3 Chronic kidney disease .. lowest possible volume) are recommended in I A
..
In all patients with NSTE-ACS, assessment of kidney function by .. invasive strategies.205,441,442,445,446
eGFR is recommended for prognostic reasons and to identify
.. Pre- and post-hydration with isotonic saline
..
patients at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. Although individuals .. should be considered if the expected contrast vol- IIa C
with CKD have a worse prognosis in the setting of NSTE-ACS than
.. ume is >100 mL in invasive strategies.
..
individuals with normal renal function, they less frequently receive .. As an alternative to the pre- and post-hydration
.. IIb B
evidence-based treatments such as antithrombotic agents and early .. regimen, tailored hydration regimens may be
invasive strategy.437,438 .. considered.441,448
..
The diagnosis of NSTE-ACS in patients with CKD may be challeng- .. CABG should be considered over PCI in patients
ing, as both mild elevations in cardiac troponin and ECG abnormalities .. with multivessel CAD whose surgical risk profile IIa B
..
(e.g. associated with electrolyte disturbances or hypertensive heart dis- .. is acceptable and life expectancy is >1 year.449,450
ease) are frequent. Therefore, new ECG changes should be differenti- ..
.. CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CAD = coronary artery disease; CKD
ated from pre-existing abnormalities and absolute changes in cardiac .. = chronic kidney disease; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; PCI = per-
troponin (i.e. increase and/or decrease) should be assessed to differen- .. cutaneous coronary intervention.
.. a
tiate MI from conditions associated with chronic cardiac injury. . b
Level of evidence.
46 ESC Guidelines
.. endpoints. Furthermore, in the context of revascularization both

8.4 Anaemia ..
.. PCI and CABG procedure-related complications are more fre-
Anaemia is common in patients with NSTE-ACS.451 Persistent or .. quent in the older patient, including MI, heart failure, stroke, renal fail-
worsening anaemia in patients with NSTE-ACS is associated with ..
.. ure, and bleeding.457,465
increased mortality, recurrent MI, and major bleeding.452 However, it ..
.. High-intensity lipid modification is indicated for secondary
is uncertain whether anaemia itself is the determinant for poorer out-
.. prevention.466
come or rather a marker of comorbidity. .
Given that the treatment of NSTE-ACS includes antithrombotic ...
..
therapy (which may exacerbate bleeding), it is important to identify .. Recommendations for older persons with non-ST-seg-

the cause of anaemia and, in particular, occult bleeds in patients pre- .. ment elevation acute coronary syndrome
..
senting with NSTE-ACS. The indication for ICA, access site choice ..
(radial approach favoured), and the need for revascularization should .. Recommendations Classa Levelb
..
be carefully considered to avoid further blood loss.453,454 Equally, the .. It is recommended to apply the same diagnos-
choice of antithrombotic agent requires evaluation of ischaemic and ..
.. tic strategies in older patients as for younger I B
bleeding risks, favouring the use of shorter half-life or reversible .. patients.458
agents. In the setting of anaemia related to an unknown/untreatable ..
source, the use of DES should be limited to the new-generation devi- ... It is recommended to apply the same interven-
.. tional strategies in older patients as for I B
ces with proven safety profiles on short-term DAPT.455 Blood trans- ..
fusion is discussed in section 5.4.9. .. younger patients.463,467
.. The choice of antithrombotic agent and dos-
..
8.5 Thrombocytopenia (Supplementary .. age, as well as secondary preventions, should
.. be adapted to renal function, as well as specific I B
Data) ..
.. contraindications.461
8.5.1 Thrombocytopenia related to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa ..
inhibitors (Supplementary Data)
a .. Class of recommendation.
b .. Level of evidence.
..
..
8.5.2 Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (Supplementary ..
Data) ..
..
.. 8.7 Frailty
8.6 The older person .. Frailty is a syndrome characterized by reduced biological reserve,
..
The clinical presentation of NSTE-ACS in the older person is more .. leading to a failure of homeostatic mechanisms following stressors
often atypical. Among the atypical presentations, dyspnoea is the
.. events.468,469 A combination of an aging population, improved disease
..
leading symptom, while syncope, malaise, and confusion are less fre- .. survival, treatable conditions, and greater awareness has increased
quently encountered.456 Electrocardiographic ST elevation is less fre-
.. the prevalence of frailty.470 Frail patients with NSTE-ACS less fre-
..
quently present in older than in younger patients.457Hs-cTn assays .. quently receive ACS pharmacotherapies and an invasive strategy,
.. have more complex CAD,471,472 have longer lengths of hospital stay,
have an excellent diagnostic performance for diagnosing early MI in ..
the older person. However, the specificity of the test is lower than in .. and are at higher risk of death.459,473 Specifically, they are reported to
.. have a higher rate of a composite of all-cause mortality, MI, stroke,
younger patients, and elevated troponin levels are more commonly ..
associated with conditions other than ACS.458 .. unplanned revascularization, and major bleeding at 1 year.474 In the
..
For NSTE-ACS, age is a predictor of in-hospital and 6-month mor- .. absence of robust data to inform healthcare professionals about the
tality.140,457 Decisions as to how to manage older patients should be .. management of frail people with NSTE-ACS,475 it is recommended
..
based on ischaemic and bleeding risks, estimated life expectancy, .. that the risk of individual treatments is balanced against their risk of
comorbidities, the need for non-cardiac surgery, quality of life, frailty, .. harm, whilst being mindful of potential for healthcare professional
..
cognitive and functional impairment, patient values and preferences, .. aversion to treatment due to misperception of risk. Following risk
and the estimated risks and benefits of revascularization.459,460 .. stratification, it would not be unreasonable to offer optimal medical
..
The choice of antithrombotic agent and dosage should be adapted .. therapy plus an invasive strategy to frail patients at high risk of future
to renal function, as well as specific contraindications.461 .. cardiovascular events and low risk of complications, and to offer opti-
..
Despite the lower rate of revascularization in the older person, its .. mal medical therapy alone to those who are deemed at low risk of
benefit appears to be maintained at older age.462,463 The effectiveness
.. future events with a high risk of developing procedural complications.
..
of an invasive strategy in the context of the older patient with NSTE- .. A systematic review by de Vries et al. identified a range of outcomes
ACS is, however, the subject of ongoing research, including the
.. instruments to measure frailty (Supplementary Table 7).476
..
SENIOR-RITA RCT (NCT03052036). Recent data have shown that, ..
for patients aged 80 years and over with NSTE-ACS, an invasive strat-
.. 8.8 Sex disparities
..
egy was superior to a conservative strategy for the reduction of MI, .. Data from registries and studies demonstrate discrepant results with
urgent revascularisation, stroke, and death, with no increase in bleed-
.. respect to access to healthcare, the use of evidence-based therapy,
..
ing complications.464 In this RCT, the primary composite endpoint .. and clinical outcome between men and women presenting with
.. 477483
was predominantly driven by fewer MIs and urgent revascularisation .. ACS. Moreover, women are often under-represented in
and was not sufficiently powered to test efficacy for individual . many RCTs.
ESC Guidelines 47
Although several non-invasive testing techniques exist, which may ..

.. 9.2 Pharmacological management
be more appropriate in the detection of microvascular CAD in .. (Supplementary Data)
women,484 catheterization remains the reference standard for high-
..
.. 9.2.1 Anti-ischaemic drugs
risk NSTE-ACS and guidelines should be followed the same for ..
both sexes. Specifically, women who present with NSTE-ACS should
.. Often, patients do not continue to experience chest pain after
.. NSTEMI and revascularization. For anti-ischaemic drug management,
be provided with equal access to care, a prompt diagnosis, and treat- ..
ments at the same rate and intensity as their male counterparts. It
.. please refer to the 2019 ESC CCS Guidelines.231
..
should be noted that women with NSTEMI may receive higher antith- ..
.. 9.2.1.1 Beta-blockers (Supplementary Data)

rombotic medication dosing than appropriate for their weight or renal ..
function (or both), and this is partly responsible for the higher risk of ..
in-hospital bleeds and access-related complications after PCI in ... 9.2.2 Antithrombotic treatments
.. Duration of antiplatelet treatment and/or anticoagulation are dis-
women.485 For recommendations regarding the management of .. cussed in section 5.1.4.
women who are pregnant and have NSTE-ACS, we refer the reader ..
..
to the 2018 ESC Guidelines for the management of CVD during ..
pregnancy.486 .. 9.2.3 Proton pump inhibitors (Supplementary Data)
..
..
.. 9.2.4 Statins and other lipid-lowering agents
.. Dyslipidaemia should be managed, according to lipid guidelines, with
9 Long-term management of ..
.. pharmacological and lifestyle intervention.512 Patients with estab-
non-ST-segment elevation acute ..
.. lished CAD are regarded as being at very high risk for cardiovascular
coronary syndrome .. events, and statin treatment must be considered, irrespective of low-
..
9.1 Lifestyle management .. density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The goal of treatment
.. is to lower LDL-C to <1.4 mmol/L (<55 mg/dL) and to reduce it by
9.1.1 Smoking (Supplementary Data) .. at least 50% if the baseline LDL-C level is 1.83.5 mmol/L (70135
.. mg/dL). When this level cannot be achieved, the addition of ezeti-
9.1.2 Diet and alcohol (Supplementary Data) ..
.. mibe has been demonstrated to decrease cholesterol and cardiovas-
9.1.3 Weight management (Supplementary Data) .. cular events in post-ACS patients, and in patients with diabetes513
..
9.1.3 Physical activity (Supplementary Data) .. with no further impact on mortality.514 In addition to exercise, diet,
9.1.4 Cardiac rehabilitation (Supplementary Data)
.. and weight control, which should be recommended to all patients,
..
9.1.5 Psychosocial factors (Supplementary Data) .. dietary supplements including phytosterols may lower LDL-C to a
.. lesser extent, but have not been shown to improve clinical out-
9.1.6 Environmental factors (Supplementary Data) ..
.. comes.515 They may be considered (Class IIb) as an adjunct to phar-
9.1.7 Sexual activity (Supplementary Data) .. macological therapy in high- and very high-risk patients who fail to
..
9.1.8 Adherence and sustainability (Supplementary Data) .. achieve LDL-C goals on statins and those who cannot be treated
9.1.9 Influenza vaccination (Supplementary Data)
.. with statins.516 Trials published since 2015 have demonstrated that
..
. proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors
Recommendations for lifestyle managements after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Improvement of lifestyle factors in addition to appropriate pharmacological management is recommended in order to reduce all-
I A
cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and improve health-related quality of life.487497
Cognitive behavioural interventions are recommended to help individuals achieve a healthy lifestyle.498500 I A
Multidisciplinary exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is recommended as an effective means for patients with CAD to achieve a
healthy lifestyle and manage risk factors in order to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and improve health- I A
487,497,501
related quality of life.
Involvement of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals (cardiologists, general practitioners, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, psy-
chologists, pharmacists) is recommended in order to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and improve I A
health-related quality of life.492,499,502,503
Psychological interventions are recommended to improve symptoms of depression in patients with CAD in order to improve health-
I B
related quality of life.504,505
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for patients with CAD, especially in the older person, in order to improve morbidity.505511 I B
CAD = coronary artery disease.

a
b
Level of evidence.
48 ESC Guidelines
(evolocumab517 and alirocumab518520) are very effective at Recommendations for pharmacological long-term man-
reducing cholesterol, lowering LDL-C in a stable fashion to nearly agement after non-ST-segment elevation acute coro-
nary syndrome (excluding antithrombotic treatments)
50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) or less.521 In outcome trials, these agents
have demonstrated a reduction of cardiovascular events, with little Recommendations Classa Levelb
or no impact on mortality.522 Very low levels of cholesterol are gen-
erally well tolerated and associated with fewer events,523 but the high Lipid-lowering drugs
cost of PCSK9 inhibitors, unaffordable for many health systems,524 Statins are recommended in all NSTE-ACS patients.
The aim is to reduce LDL-C by >_50% from baseline
and unknown long-term safety have limited widespread use to date. I A

and/or to achieve LDL-C <1.4 mmol/L (<55 mg/
LDL apheresis and new therapies, such as mipomersen and lomita-
dL).533,534
pide, need further research. For patients undergoing PCI, high-dose
If the LDL-C goalc is not achieved after 46 weeks with
atorvastatin has been shown to reduce the frequency of periproce- I B
the maximally tolerated statin dose, combination with
dural events in both statin-naı̈ve patients and those receiving chronic ezetimibe is recommended.514,535
statin therapy.525 The recent Reduction of Cardiovascular Events If the LDL-C goalc is not achieved after 46 weeks
with Icosapent EthylIntervention Trial (REDUCE-IT),526 which despite maximally tolerated statin therapy and ezeti-
I B
included 8179 participants (70.7% for secondary prevention of cardi- mibe, the addition of a PCSK9 inhibitor is
ovascular events) with a median follow-up of 4.9 years, demonstrated recommended.520,535
a significant effect of a pure prescription-grade eicosapentaenoic acid If the current NSTE-ACS episode is a recurrence
omega-3 fatty acid, icosapent ethyl, on a composite of cardiovascular within less than 2 years of a first ACS, while taking
death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or maximally tolerated statin-based therapy, an LDL-C IIb B
unstable angina in comparison to placebo (17.2 vs. 22.0%, HR 0.75, goal of <1.0 mmol/L (<40 mg/dL) may be
95% CI 0.680.83). Of note, very high doses of icosapent ethyl (two considered.520,535
times 2 g daily) were used.526 The 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the ACE inhibitors or ARBs
management of dyslipidaemias give icosapent ethyl a IIa ACE inhibitors (or ARBs in cases of intolerance to
recommendation.512 ACE inhibitors) are recommended in patients with
heart failure with reduced LVEF (<40%), diabetes, or
CKD unless contraindicated (e.g. severe renal impair- I A
9.2.5 Glucose-lowering therapy in patients with diabetes ment, hyperkalaemia, etc.) in order to reduce all-
This topic is beyond the scope of the present document and was dis- cause and cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular
cussed in recent guidelines.231 As a general rule, the more advanced morbidity.536538
the CVD, the older the patient, the longer the diabetes duration, and Beta-blockers
the more comorbidities that are present, the less stringent the glu- Beta-blockers are recommended in patients with sys-
cose control should be. tolic LV dysfunction or heart failure with reduced I A
For the first time in the history of diabetes mellitus, there are data LVEF (<40%).539541
from several RCTs indicating cardiovascular benefits from the use of In patients with prior MI, long-term oral treatment
glucose-lowering agents in patients with CVD or at very high/high with a beta-blocker should be considered in order to
IIa B
cardiovascular risk. The results obtained from these trials, using reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and car-
glucagon-like peptide-1-receptor antagonists527529 and sodium- diovascular morbidity.542547
glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors,530532 strongly suggest that these MRAs
agents should be recommended in patients with type 2 diabetes mel- MRAs are recommended in patients with heart failure
with reduced LVEF (<40%) in order to reduce all-
litus with prevalent atherosclerotic CVD. I A
cause and cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular
morbidity.548,549
9.2.6 Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers Proton pump inhibitors
(Supplementary Data) Concomitant use of a proton pump inhibitor is recom-
mended in patients receiving aspirin monotherapy,
9.2.7 Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist therapy DAPT, DAT, TAT, or OAC monotherapy who are at I A
(Supplementary Data) high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in order to reduce
the risk of gastric bleeds.169
9.2.8 Antihypertensive therapy (Supplementary Data) ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACS = acute coronary syndromes; ARB
= angiotensin receptor blocker; CKD = chronic kidney disease; DAPT = dual
antiplatelet therapy; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy; LDL-C = low-density
9.2.9 Hormone replacement therapy (Supplementary lipoprotein cholesterol; LV = left ventricular; LVEF = left ventricular ejection frac-
tion; MI = myocardial infarction; MRA = mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist;
Data) NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; OAC = oral
anticoagulation/anticoagulant; PCSK9 = proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9;
TAT = triple antithrombotic therapy.
a
b
Level of evidence.
c
For patients at very high cardiovascular risk (such as patients with ACS), an LDL-
C reduction of at least 50% from baseline and an LDL-C goal <1.4 mmol/L (<55
mg/dL) are recommended.512
ESC Guidelines 49
..
10 Quality measures .. management of ACS in patients presenting without persistent ST-
.. segment elevation, the QIs have been updated so that they align to
Quality indicators (QIs) are sets of measures that enable the quantifi- .. the current recommendations, but also take into account the wider
..
cation of adherence to guideline recommendations and provide a .. NSTE-ACS pathway of care. Briefly, the ESC ACVC QIs for AMI
mechanism for measuring opportunities to improve cardiovascular .. comprise seven domains, which include the evaluation of: (1) centre
..
care and outcomes.550 QIs are derived from evidence and should be .. organization, (2) the reperfusion/invasive strategy, (3) in-hospital risk
feasible, concretely interpretable, and usable.551 They improve qual- .. assessment, (4) antithrombotic treatment during hospitalization, (5)
..
ity by identifying practices that may lead to high-quality care and illus- .. secondary prevention discharge treatments, (6) patient satisfaction,
..

trate how such care was delivered, and have been increasingly used .. and (7) composite QI risk-adjusted 30-day mortality. The composite
by health authorities, professional organizations, healthcare payers, as .. QIs are combinations of individual indicators into a single number to
well as the public.552555
.. summarize the multiple dimensions and facilitate comparisons and
..
Typically, QIs are divided into structural, process, and outcome .. categorization of the centres and can be used by providers for deci-
indicators, depending on the aspect of care being measured.556
..
.. sion making and benchmarking. In this document, however, only the
Although high-quality evidence tends to support process Qis,557 the .. QIs relevant to the management of NSTE-ACS are described and are
inclusion of both outcome and process measures enables a more
..
.. displayed in Table 15.
comprehensive evaluation.558 Additionally, patient-reported out- .. The QIs defined here are intended for quality improvement and
come measures (PROMs), which may not be underpinned by a
..
.. performance measurement through meaningful surveillance, as well
strong class of recommendation within guidelines, can be seen as hav- .. as for integration within registries that specifically aim to identify areas
..
ing a complementary role alongside other Qis.559 .. for improvement in clinical practice. The main and secondary QIs
In 2016, the ESC Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care .. represent major and complementary components of the quality of
..
(ACVC), formerly the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association, devel- .. NSTE-ACS care, respectively, and are not intended for ranking
oped a suite of QIs for the management of AMI with or without .. healthcare professionals/providers or payment incentives.
..
ST-segment elevation.560 These QIs were externally validated in .. Continuous monitoring and update will be required for these QIs
international clinical registries, and most demonstrated an inverse .. based on feedback and ‘downstream’ clinical registries data, as well as
..
association with mortality.561563 For this 2020 Guidelines for the .. according to changes in evidence and guideline recommendations.
.
Table 15 Quality indicators in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome care
1. Centre organization Classa Levelb

Main QI: hospital use of hs-cTn.
QI: hs-cTn is available in the centre for testing.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: it is recommended to measure cardiac troponins with high-sensitivity assays
I B
immediately after admission and obtain the results within 60 min of blood sampling.
Secondary QI: the centre should participate in a regular registry or programme for quality assessment.
QI: centres participating in a registry.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: no ESC CPG recommendation. NA NA
2. Invasive strategy
Main QI (1): rate of NSTEMI patients who receive ICA within 24 h of their diagnosis.
Numerator: number of NSTEMI patients who receive ICA within 24 h of their diagnosis.
Denominator: all NSTEMI patients without contraindications.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: an early invasive strategy within 24 h is recommended in patients with any of
I A
high-risk criteria, including the diagnosis of NSTEMI suggested by a diagnostic algorithm.
Main QI (2): use of radial access in case of invasive strategy.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients who receive ICA via radial access.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients who receive ICA without overriding procedural considerations against the use of
radial access.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: radial access is recommended as the standard approach, unless there are overrid-
I A
ing procedural considerations.
Continued
50 ESC Guidelines
3. In-hospital risk assessment

Main QI (1): the proportion of patients who have an assessment of LVEF before hospital discharge. LVEF should be assessed and
the numerical value recorded for all patients admitted with NSTE-ACS.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients who have their LVEF measured before hospital discharge.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: echocardiography is recommended to evaluate regional and global LV function
I C
and to rule in or rule out differential diagnoses.

Main QI (2): LDL-C assessment should be performed during hospitalization.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients who have their LDL-C measured during hospitalization.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: statins are recommended in all NSTE-ACS patients. The aim is to reduce LDL-C
I A
by at least 50% from baseline and/or achieve LDL-C <1.4 mmol/L (<55 mg/dL).
4. Anti-thrombotic treatment during hospitalization
Main QI: proportion of patients with ‘adequate P2Y12 receptor inhibition’.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients prescribed adequate P2Y12 inhibitors at the time of hospital discharge.
Denominator: NSTE-ACS patients alive at the time of hospital discharge with an indication for prasugrel, ticagrelor, or clopidogrel.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is recommended in addition to aspirin, to be main-
I A
tained over 12 months unless there are contraindications or an excessive risk of bleeding.
5. Secondary prevention discharge treatments
Main QI: proportion of patients discharged from hospital on high-intensity statins (defined as atorvastatin >_40 mg or rosuvastatin
>_20 mg) unless contraindicated.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients who receive high-intensity statin therapy at the time of hospital discharge.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients alive at the time of hospital discharge and without contraindications, refusal, side
effects, allergy, or history of intolerance to high-intensity statin therapy.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: statins are recommended in all NSTE-ACS patients. The aim is to reduce LDL-C
I A
by at least 50% from baseline and/or achieve LDL-C <1.4 mmol/L (<55 mg/dL).
Secondary QI (1): proportion of patients with LVEF <40% who are discharged from hospital on ACE inhibitor (or ARB if intolerant
to ACE inhibitors).
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients with LVEF <40%, prescribed ACE inhibitor/ARB at the time of hospital discharge.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients with LVEF<40% and alive at the time of hospital discharge who are eligible for ACE
inhibitor/ARB (no severe renal impairment, hyperkalaemia, other contraindication, refusal, side effects, or allergy).
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: ACE inhibitors (or ARB in cases of intolerance) are recommended in NSTE-ACS
patients with co-existing hypertension, LVEF <40%, diabetes, or CKD, unless contraindicated (e.g. severe renal impairment, hyperka- I A
laemia, etc.).
Secondary QI (2): proportion of patients with LVEF <40% who are discharged from hospital on beta-blockers.
Numerator: number of patients with LVEF <40% prescribed beta-blockers at the time of hospital discharge.
Denominator: patients with LVEF<40% and alive at the time of hospital discharge who are eligible for beta-blockers.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation: beta-blockers are recommended in patients with systolic LV dysfunction or heart
I A
failure with reduced LVEF (<40%).
6. Patient satisfaction
Main QI: feedback regarding the patient’s experience should be systematically collected in an organized way from all patients. It
should include the following points:
Explanations provided by doctors and nurses (about the coronary disease, the benefit/risk of the discharge treatment, and medical
follow-up).
Discharge information regarding what to do in case of recurrence of symptoms and timing of visit.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients alive at the time of discharge from hospital with feedback collected.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients discharged from hospital alive.
Corresponding ESC CPG recommendation (1): no ESC CPG recommendation. NA NA
Continued
ESC Guidelines 51
Secondary QI: systematic assessment of health-related quality of life in all patients using a validated instrument.
Numerator: number of NSTE-ACS patients alive at the time of hospital discharge who have their health-related quality of life
assessed during hospitalization using a validated instrument.
Denominator: number of NSTE-ACS patients discharged from hospital alive.
7. CQI
Main CQI (opportunity based): with the following individual QIs (all indicators are weighted equally):

The centre should participate in a regular registry or programme for quality assessment.
Rate of NSTEMI patients who receive ICA within 24 h of their diagnosis.
Proportion of patients who have an assessment of LVEF before hospital discharge.
Proportion of patients with ‘adequate P2Y12 receptor inhibition’.
Proportion of patients discharged from hospital on high-intensity statins.
Proportion of patients with LVEF <40% who are discharged from hospital on an ACE inhibitor/ARB.
Proportion of patients with LVEF <40% who are discharged from hospital on beta-blockers.
Feedback regarding the patient’s experience systematically collected in an organized way from all patients.
Numerator: all NSTE-ACS patients discharged from hospital alive: sum of points (one point for each individual indicator).
Denominator: all NSTE-ACS patients discharged from hospital alive: sum of points (one point for each applicable indicator, accord-
ing to patient and centre characteristics).
Secondary CQI (all or none): based on three or five components, according to LVEF:
• Calculated on three individual QIs in patients with LVEF >_40%:
(1) Rate of NSTEMI patients who receive ICA within 24 h of their diagnosis.
(2) Proportion of patients with ‘adequate P2Y12 receptor inhibition’.
(3) Proportion of patients discharged from hospital on high-intensity statins.
• Calculated on five individual QIs in patients with LVEF <40%:
(1) Rate of NSTEMI patients who receive ICA within 24 h of their diagnosis.
(2) Proportion of patients with ‘adequate P2Y12 receptor inhibition’.
(3) Proportion of patients discharged from hospital on high-intensity statins.
(4) Proportion of patients with LVEF <40% who are discharged from hospital on an ACE inhibitor/ARB.
(5) Proportion of patients with LVEF <40% who are discharged from hospital on beta-blockers.
Numerator: all NSTE-ACS patients discharged from hospital alive: sum of points (one point for each individual indicator).
Denominator: all NSTE-ACS patients discharged from hospital alive: sum of points (one point for each applicable indicator, accord-
ing to patient and centre characteristics).
8. Outcome QI
Secondary QI: risk adjusted 30-day mortality rate.c
Numerator: all NSTE-ACS patients who died within 30 days after admission.
Denominator: all NSTE-ACS patients at 30-day follow-up.
ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; CAD = coronary artery disease; CCS = chronic coronary syndromes; CKD = chronic kidney dis-
ease; CPG = clinical practice guidelines; CQI = composite quality indicator; ESC = European Society of Cardiology; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; ICA = invasive
coronary angiography; LDL-C = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LV = left ventricular; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation
acute coronary syndrome; NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; QI = quality indicator.
a
b
Level of evidence.
c
Risk-adjusted 30-day mortality rates (i.e. using a logistic regression model adjusted for the risk score (by a validated risk score assessment), with 30-day mortality as the
dependent variable.
52 ESC Guidelines
11 Management strategy
Figure 13 describes an overview and management pathway for NSTE-ACS patients.

©ESC 2020
Figure 13 Central illustration. Management strategy for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients. BNP = B-type natriuretic pep-
tide; CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CCU = coronary care unit; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; DES = drug-eluting stent; ECG = electrocar-
diogram/electrocardiography; GP = glycoprotein; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; NSTE-
ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; NT-proBNP = N-terminal pro-
B-type natriuretic peptide; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; PCSK9 = proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9; UFH = unfractionated heparin.
Listen to the audio guide of this figure online.
ESC Guidelines 53
..
12 Key messages ..
..
predictive value for major bleeding. Their value in improving
patient outcomes remains unclear.
..
.. • Non-invasive imaging. Even after the rule-out of MI, elective
• Diagnosis. Chest discomfort without persistent ST-segment .. non-invasive or invasive imaging may be indicated according to
elevation (NSTE-ACS) is the leading symptom initiating the diag- ..
nostic and therapeutic cascade. The pathological correlate at the .. clinical assessment. CCTA may be an option in patients with low-
.. to-modest clinical likelihood of unstable angina as a normal scan
myocardial level is cardiomyocyte necrosis, measured by tropo- ..
nin release, or, less frequently, myocardial ischaemia without cell .. excludes CAD. CCTA has a high NPV to exclude ACS (by
.. excluding CAD) and an excellent outcome in patients presenting
damage (unstable angina). Individuals with unstable angina have a ..

substantially lower risk of death and derive less benefit from an
.. to the emergency department with low-to-intermediate pre-test
.. probability for ACS and a normal CCTA. In addition, upfront
aggressive pharmacological and invasive approach. ..
• Troponin assays. High-sensitivity troponin assays measure- .. imaging with CCTA reduces the need for ICA in high risk
.. patients. Stress imaging by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging,
ments are recommended over less sensitive ones, as they ..
provide higher diagnostic accuracy at identical low cost. It should
.. stress echocardiography, or nuclear imaging may also be an
.. option based on risk assessment.
be noted that many cardiac pathologies other than MI also result ..
in cardiomyocyte injury and, therefore, cardiac troponin
.. • Risk stratification for an invasive approach. An early rou-
.. tine invasive approach within 24 h of admission is recommended
elevations. ..
• Other biomarkers. Other biomarkers may have clinical rele-
.. for NSTEMI based on hs-cTn measurements, GRACE risk score
.. >140, and dynamic new, or presumably new, ST-segment
vance in specific clinical settings when used in combination with ..
non hs-cTn T/I. CK-MB shows a more rapid decline after MI and
.. changes as it improves major adverse cardiac events and possibly
.. early survival. Immediate invasive angiography is required in highly
may provide added value for detection of early reinfarction. The ..
routine use of copeptin as an additional biomarker for the early
.. unstable patients according to hemodynamic status, arrythmias,
.. acute heart failure, or persistent chest pain. In all other clinical
rule-out of MI is recommended in the increasingly uncommon ..
setting where hs-cTn assays are not available.
.. presentation, a selective invasive approach may be performed
.. according to non-invasive testing or clinical risk assessment.
• Rapid ‘rule-in’ and ‘rule-out’ algorithms. Due to the higher ..
sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of MI at pre-
.. • Revascularization strategies. The principal technical aspects
.. of PCI in NSTE-ACS patients do not differ from the invasive
sentation, the time interval to the second cTn assessment can be ..
shortened with the use of hs-cTn assays. It is recommended to
.. assessment and revascularization strategies for other manifesta-
.. tions of CAD. Radial access is recommended as the preferred
use the 0 h/1 h algorithm (best option, blood draw at 0 h and 1 h) ..
.. approach in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing invasive assessment
or the 0 h/2 h algorithm (second-best option, blood draw at 0 h ..
and 2 h). Optimal thresholds for rule-out and rule-in were .. with or without PCI. Multivessel disease is frequent in NSTE-
.. ACS, timing and completeness of revascularization should be
selected to allow for a minimal sensitivity and NPV of 99% and a ..
minimal PPV of 70%. Used in conjunction with clinical and ECG .. decided according to functional relevance of all stenoses, age,
.. general patient condition, comorbidities, and left ventricular
findings, the 0 h/1 h and 0 h/2 h algorithm allows the identification ..
of appropriate candidates for early discharge and outpatient .. function.
.. • Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary
management. ..
• Confounders of hs-cTn. Beyond the presence or absence of .. arteries. MINOCA incorporates a heterogeneous group of
.. underlying causes that may involve both coronary and non-
MI, four clinical variables affect hs-cTn concentrations. The effect ..
of age (differences in concentration between healthy very young .. coronary pathological conditions, with the latter including cardiac
.. and extra-cardiac disorders. It excludes by consensus myocarditis
vs. ‘healthy’ very old individuals up to 300%), renal dysfunction ..
(differences in concentration between otherwise healthy patients .. and Takotsubo syndrome. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is
.. one of the key diagnostic tools as it identifies the underlying cause
with very high vs. very low eGFR up to 300%), and chest pain ..
onset (>300%) is substantial, and modest for sex (40%). .. in more than 85% of patients and the subsequent appropriate
.. treatment.
• Ischaemic risk assessment. Initial cTn levels add prognostic ..
information in terms of short- and long-term mortality to clinical .. • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Defined as a
.. non-atherosclerotic, non-traumatic, or iatrogenic separation of
and ECG variables. The higher the hs-cTn levels, the greater the ..
risk of death. Serum creatinine and eGFR should also be deter- .. the coronary arterial tunics secondary to vasa vasorum hemor-
..
mined in all patients with NSTE-ACS because they affect progno- .. rhage or intimal tear, it accounts for up to 4% of all ACS, but the
sis and are key elements of the GRACE risk score, which .. incidence is reported to be much higher (2235% of ACS) in
..
assessment is superior to (subjective) physician assessment for .. women <60 years of age. Intracoronary imaging is very useful for
the occurrence of death or MI. Natriuretic peptides may provide .. the diagnosis and treatment orientation. Medical treatment
..
incremental prognostic information and may help in risk .. remains to be established.
stratification.
.. • Pre-treatment with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. Routine
..
• Bleeding risk assessment. ARC-HBR is a pragmatic approach .. pre-treatment with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in NSTE-ACS
that includes the most recent trials performed in HBR patients, .. patients in whom coronary anatomy is not known and an early
..
who were previously excluded from clinical trials of DAPT dura- .. invasive management is planned is not recommended given the
tion or intensity. The PRECISE-DAPT score may be used to guide
.. lack of established benefit. However, it may be considered in
..
and inform decision making on DAPT duration with a modest . selected cases and according to the bleeding risk of the patient.
54 ESC Guidelines
• Post-treatment antiplatelet therapy. DAPT consisting of a .. • Triple antithrombotic therapy. In at least 68% of patients
..
potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in addition to aspirin is generally .. undergoing PCI, long-term oral anticoagulation is indicated and
recommended for 12 months, irrespective of the stent type,
.. should be continued. NOACs are preferred over VKAs in terms
..
unless there are contraindications. New scenarios have been .. of safety when patients are eligible. DAT with a NOAC at the
implemented. DAPT duration can be shortened (<12 months),
.. recommended dose for stroke prevention and SAPT (preferably
..
extended (>12 months), or modified by switching DAPT or de- .. clopidogrel, chosen in more than 90% of cases in available trials)
escalation. These decisions depend on individual clinical judgment
.. is recommended as the default strategy up to 12 months after a
..
being driven by the patient’s ischaemic and bleeding risk, the .. short period up to 1 week of TAT (with NOAC and DAPT).
..

occurrence of adverse events, comorbidities, co-medications, .. TAT may be prolonged up to 1 month when the ischaemic risk
and the availability of the respective drugs. .. outweighs the bleeding risk.
13 Gaps in evidence for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary

syndrome care and future research
Gaps in NSTE-ACS Care Needed RCTs
RISK PREDICTION MODELLING

Whether risk stratification of NSTE-ACS patients based on multivariable risk Patients randomized to treatment algorithms based on scores calculated at
prediction models improves clinical outcomes remains unclear. point of care or to usual treatment.
No dedicated RCT has evaluated the value of a management strategy based Patients randomized to management strategies based on risk prediction
on a risk-prediction model (i.e. PRECISE-DAPT score, ARC-HBR criteria) models for DAPT duration vs. usual care.
for DAPT duration following PCI for NSTE-ACS.
MEDICAL TREATMENT STRATEGIES
The efficacy and safety of pre-treatment NSTE-ACS patients with oral P2Y12 Dedicated RCTs for pre-treatment with ticagrelor (and separately, clopi-
receptor inhibitors prior to ICA is unknown. dogrel) vs. placebo as opposed to loading after angiography in PCI patients.
The efficacy and safety of early i.v. beta-blockers before an early or late inva- Patients randomized to i.v. beta-blockers or usual care before ICA.
sive strategy in NSTE-ACS patients remain under question.
The value of long-term therapy with beta-blockers in patients with LVEF Patients with LVEF>40% following 1 year of beta-blocker therapy after the
>40% needs further evaluation. event randomized to long-term therapy or not.
BIOMARKERS
The role of platelet function testing or genetic testing to de-escalate oral Adequately powered RCTs of a strategy of platelet function testing- or
P2Y12 receptor inhibitors after the first month of therapy following PCI for genetic testing-based de-escalation vs. usual guideline-based care.
NSTE-ACS needs to be defined.
What is the added value of biomarkers other than hs-cTn for rapid rule-out NSTE-ACS patients randomized to diagnostic pathways with or without
of NSTE-ACS compared with usual care? biomarkers in addition to usual care.
TIMING OF ANGIOGRAPHY AND REVASCULARIZATION STRATEGIES
What is the optimal timing of invasive angiography in high-risk NSTE-ACS Further RCTs with different time intervals until angiography within the 72-h
patients? window from presentation.
Should low-risk NSTE-ACS patients undergo routine or selective invasive Appropriate risk-stratified patients randomized to routine or selective inva-
assessment? sive strategy.
The optimal invasive strategy for women presenting with NSTE-ACS is Adequately powered RCTs to identify potential sex differences in treatment
unknown. strategies in patients presenting with NSTE-ACS.
What is the role of CCTA- or other imaging-based stress testing strategies Diagnostic RCTs of routine non-invasive anatomy- or functional imaging-
for low-risk NSTE-ACS patients or uncertain NSTEMI patients? based strategies prior to an ICA approach powered for clinical endpoints.
What is the value of FFR-CT added to CCTA in evaluating the role of Diagnostic RCTs comparing the adding value of FFR-CT on a non-invasive
adverse plaque characteristics and adverse haemodynamic characteristics in anatomical testing strategy (CCTA).
the determination of ACS?
The safety and effectiveness of routine vs. selective invasive assessment of Frail patients presenting with NSTE-ACS without ongoing ischaemia or hae-
frail patients presenting with NSTE-ACS requires further evaluation. modynamic instability should be randomized to routine vs. selective ICA.
Mainly due to difficulties in enrolment, older patients have been under-rep- Multicentre RCTs evaluating the safety and effectiveness of different treat-
resented in clinical trials of invasive strategies for NSTE-ACS patients. ment strategies in sufficient numbers of older NSTE-ACS patients.
Continued
ESC Guidelines 55
We do not know whether there are additional criteria for not waiting at all Risk stratification pathways to identify vulnerable populations having the
in the NSTE-ACS population, apart from those currently listed in the imme- greatest benefit from an early invasive assessment (and perhaps also imme-
diate invasive strategy. diate invasive assessment) deserve appropriate evaluation.
It remains unclear whether coronary revascularization of the presumed cul- RCTs of PCI of the presumed culprit lesion only based on non-invasive
prit lesion only or complete revascularization in NSTE-ACS patients should imaging and/or coronary angiography vs. complete revascularization with
be attempted. PCI (or CABG).
The value of haemodynamic assessment based on FFR of non-culprit lesions Patients presenting with NSTE-ACS and multivessel disease randomized to
to guide complete revascularization in the NSTE-ACS setting remains PCI as indicated with vs. without FFR of non-culprit lesions.

unclear.
Should PCI or CABG be the preferred option in multivessel coronary dis- Dedicated trials focused on NSTE-ACS patients with multivessel coronary
ease in NSTE-ACS? disease randomized to PCI vs. CABG including invasive and/or non-invasive
assessment.
Should complete revascularization be achieved during the index intervention Immediate vs. staged complete revascularization should be evaluated in
or as a staged approach? RCTs in patients with multivessel disease.
The role and type of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device in Strategies based on percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices in
patients presenting with NSTE-ACS and CS remains uncertain. NSTE-ACS patients presenting with CS should be evaluated compared to
standard of care.
LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT
The optimal mode of training programmes following NSTE-ACS should be Patients randomized to different modes of rehabilitation programmes after
determined. NSTE-ACS.
It has to be determined whether neprilysin inhibitors in the specific group NSTE-ACS patients with systolic LV dysfunction should be randomized to
of patients who have suffered NSTE-ACS with systolic LV dysfunction therapy with a neprilysin inhibitor vs. standard of care.
improve clinical outcomes and reduce hospitalizations.
What is the value of long-term beta-blocker and long-term ACE inhibitor/ RCTs comparing the long-term continuation of therapy with beta-blockers
ARB in patients with normal LV function and no other indications for these and ACE inhibitor/ARB to withdrawal in patients with normal LV function in
therapies? the absence of other indications following NSTE-ACS.
What is the optimal long-term antithrombotic therapy in NSTE-ACS Dedicated RCTs comparing different combinations of potent antithrom-
patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary revascularization? botic agents and examining the benefit-risk balance for ischaemic/bleeding
events.
The impact of heart valve disease in patients with CAD and NSTE-ACS is Strategies based on revascularization only vs. revascularization and heart
unknown and needs to be investigated. valve disease treatment should be evaluated (non-severe valvular heart dis-
ease including aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation).
ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACS = acute coronary syndromes; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; ARC-HBR = Academic Research Consortium - High Bleeding
Risk; CABG = coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CAD = coronary artery disease; CCTA = coronary computed tomographic angiography; CS = cardiogenic shock; DAPT =
dual antiplatelet therapy; FFR = fractional flow reserve; FFR-CT = fractional flow reserve-computed tomography; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin ; ICA = invasive cor-
onary angiography; i.v. = intravenous; LV = left ventricular; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; NSTE-ACS = non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome; NSTEMI = non-
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; PRECISE-DAPT = PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent
implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy; RCT = randomized controlled trial.
14 ‘What to do’ and ‘what not to do’ messages
Recommendations for diagnosis, risk stratification, imaging, and rhythm monitoring in patients with suspected Classa Levelb
non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Diagnosis and risk stratification

It is recommended to base diagnosis and initial short-term risk stratification on a combination of clinical history, symptoms, vital signs,
I B
other physical findings, ECG, and laboratory results including hs-cTn.3
It is recommended to measure cardiac troponins with high-sensitivity assays immediately after admission and obtain the results within
I B
60 min of blood sampling.3,1013,2931,34
It is recommended to obtain a 12-lead ECG within 10 min after first medical contact and to have it immediately interpreted by an
I B
experienced physician.21
It is recommended to obtain an additional 12-lead ECG in case of recurrent symptoms or diagnostic uncertainty. I C
Continued
56 ESC Guidelines
The ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm with blood sampling at 0 h and 1 h is recommended if an hs-cTn test with a validated 0 h/1 h algorithm is
I B
available.30,33,35,36,39,68,69,75,76
Additional testing after 3 h is recommended if the first two cardiac troponin measurements of the 0 h/1 h algorithm are not conclu-
I B
sive and the clinical condition is still suggestive of ACS.85
As an alternative to the ESC 0 h/1 h algorithm, it is recommended to use the ESC 0 h/2 h algorithm with blood sampling at 0 h and 2
I B
h, if an hs-cTn test with a validated 0 h/2 h algorithm is available.33,39,75,78,84
Additional ECG leads (V3R, V4R, V7V9) are recommended if ongoing ischaemia is suspected when standard leads are inconclusive. I C

For initial diagnostic purposes, it is not recommended to routinely measure additional biomarkers such as h-FABP or copeptin, in
III B
addition to hs-cTn.47,48,51,52,54,118
Imaging
In patients presenting with cardiac arrest or haemodynamic instability of presumed cardiovascular origin, echocardiography is recom-
I C
mended and should be performed by trained physicians immediately following a 12-lead ECG.
In patients with no recurrence of chest pain, normal ECG findings, and normal levels of cardiac troponin (preferably high sensitivity),
but still with a suspected ACS, a non-invasive stress test (preferably with imaging) for inducible ischaemia or CCTA is recommended I B
before deciding on an invasive approach.91,92,98,101,105108
Echocardiography is recommended to evaluate regional and global LV function and to rule in or rule out differential diagnoses.c I C
CCTA is recommended as an alternative to ICA to exclude ACS when there is a low-to-intermediate likelihood of CAD and when
I A
cardiac troponin and/or ECG are normal or inconclusive.105,108,110114
Monitoring
Continuous rhythm monitoring is recommended until the diagnosis of NSTEMI has been established or ruled out. I C
It is recommended to admit NSTEMI patients to a monitored unit. I C
Rhythm monitoring up to 24 h or to PCI (whichever comes first) is recommended in NSTEMI patients at low risk for cardiac
I C
arrhythmias.d
Rhythm monitoring for >24 h is recommended in NSTEMI patients at increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias.e I C
Recommendations on biomarker measurements for prognostic stratification
Beyond its diagnostic role, it is recommended to measure hs-cTn serially for the estimation of prognosis.12,13,119,120 I B
The measurement of additional biomarkers, such as mid-regional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,
mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, GDF-15, copeptin, and h-FABP is not recommended for routine risk or prognosis III B
assessment.50,127,129
Recommendations for antithrombotic treatment in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percuta-
neous coronary intervention
Aspirin is recommended for all patients without contraindications at an initial oral LD of 150300 mg (or 75250 mg i.v.), and at a
I A
MD of 75100 mg o.d. for long-term treatment.179181
A P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is recommended in addition to aspirin, and maintained over 12 months unless there are contraindications
or an excessive risk of bleeding.170,171,182 I A
Options are:
Prasugrel in P2Y12 receptor inhibitor-naı̈ve patients proceeding to PCI (60 mg LD, 10 mg/d as standard dose, 5 mg/d for patients
I B
aged >_75 years or with a body weight <60 kg).171
Ticagrelor irrespective of the planned treatment strategy (invasive or conservative) (180 mg LD, 90 mg b.i.d.).170 I B
Clopidogrel (300600 mg LD, 75 mg daily dose), only when prasugrel or ticagrelor are not available, cannot be tolerated, or are
I C
contraindicated.182,183
Treatment with GP IIb/IIIa antagonists in patients in whom coronary anatomy is not known and is not recommended.188,189 III A
It is not recommended to administer routine pre-treatment with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in patients in whom coronary anatomy is
III A
not known and an early invasive management is planned.174,177,190,191
Peri-interventional anticoagulant treatment
Parenteral anticoagulation is recommended for all patients, in addition to antiplatelet treatment, at the time of diagnosis and, espe-
I A
cially, during revascularization procedures according to both ischaemic and bleeding risks.192,193
UFH (weight-adjusted i.v. bolus during PCI of 70100 IU/kg, or 5070 IU/kg in combination with a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor; activated
I A
clotting time target range of 250350 s, or 200250 s if a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor is given) is recommended in patients undergoing PCI.
In cases of medical treatment or logistical constraints for transferring the patient to PCI within the required time frame, fondaparinux
I B
is recommended and, in such cases, a single bolus of UFH is recommended at the time of PCI.183
Continued
ESC Guidelines 57
It is recommended to select anticoagulation according to both ischaemic and bleeding risks, and according to the efficacysafety pro-
I C
file of the chosen agent.
Crossover of UFH and LMWH is not recommended.196 III B
Recommendations for post-interventional and maintenance treatment in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
syndrome
In patients with NSTE-ACS treated with coronary stent implantation, DAPT with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor on top of aspirin is rec-
I A
ommended for 12 months unless there are contraindications such as excessive risk of bleeding.170,171,225

Recommendations for anti-ischaemic drugs in the acute phase of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Sublingual or i.v. nitrates and early initiation of beta-blocker treatment are recommended in patients with ongoing ischaemic symp-
I C
toms and without contraindications.
It is recommended to continue chronic beta-blocker therapy unless the patient is in overt heart failure. I C
i.v. nitrates are recommended in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or signs of heart failure. I C
Recommendations for combining antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
patients requiring chronic oral anticoagulation
Stroke prevention should be offered to AF patients with >_1 non-sex CHA2DS2-VASc stroke risk factors (score of >_1 in males or >_2
I A
in females). For patients with >_2 non-sex stroke risk factors, OAC is recommended.255259
Patients undergoing coronary stenting
Anticoagulation
During PCI, additional parenteral anticoagulation is recommended, irrespective of the timing of the last dose of all NOACs and if INR
I C
is <2.5 in VKA-treated patients.
In patients with AF and CHA2DS2-VASc score >_1 in men and >_2 in women, after a short period of TAT (up to 1 week from the
acute event), DAT is recommended as the default strategy using a NOAC at the recommended dose for stroke prevention and a sin- I A
gle oral antiplatelet agent (preferably clopidogrel).238241,244,245
Periprocedural DAPT administration consisting of aspirin and clopidogrel up to 1 week is recommended.238241,244,245 I A
236239,246
Discontinuation of antiplatelet treatment in patients treated with an OAC is recommended after 12 months. I B
The use of ticagrelor or prasugrel as part of TAT is not recommended. III C
Recommendations for coronary revascularization
Timing of invasive strategy
An immediate invasive strategy (<2 h) is recommended in patients with at least one of the following very high-risk criteria:
• Haemodynamic instability or CS.
• Recurrent or refractory chest pain despite medical treatment.
• Life-threatening arrhythmias. I C
• Mechanical complications of MI.
• Heart failure clearly related to NSTE-ACS.
• Presence of ST-segment depression >1 mm in >_6 leads additional to ST-segment elevation in aVR and/or V1.
An early invasive strategy within 24 h is recommended in patients with any of the following high-risk criteria:
• Diagnosis of NSTEMI suggested by the diagnostic algorithm recommended in section 3.
• Dynamic or presumably new contiguous ST/T-segment changes suggesting ongoing ischaemia. I A
• Transient ST-segment elevation.273,362
• GRACE risk score >140.271,272,277
A selective invasive strategy after appropriate ischaemia testing or detection of obstructive CAD by CCTA is recommended in
I A
patients considered at low risk.267,268,363
Technical aspects
Radial access is recommended as the standard approach, unless there are overriding procedural considerations.336,337 I A
DES are recommended over bare-metal stents for any PCI irrespective of:
• Clinical presentation.
• Lesion type.
I A
• Planned non-cardiac surgery.
• Anticipated duration of DAPT.
• Concomitant anticoagulant therapy.354,365,366
Continued
58 ESC Guidelines
It is recommended to base the revascularization strategy (ad hoc culprit lesion PCI/multivessel PCI/CABG) on the patient’s clinical
status and comorbidities, as well as their disease severity [i.e. the distribution and angiographic lesion characteristics (e.g. SYNTAX
I B
score)], according to the principles for stable CAD.350 However, the decision on immediate PCI of the culprit stenosis does not
require Heart Team consultation.
Recommendations for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries
In all patients with an initial working diagnosis of MINOCA, it is recommended to follow a diagnostic algorithm to differentiate true
I C
MINOCA from alternative diagnoses.
It is recommended to perform CMR in all MINOCA patients without an obvious underlying cause.370

I B
It is recommended to manage patients with an initial diagnosis of MINOCA and a final established underlying cause according to the
I C
disease-specific guidelines.
Recommendations for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients with heart failure or cardiogenic shock
Emergency coronary angiography is recommended in patients with CS complicating ACS.205,416,417 I B
Emergency PCI of the culprit lesion is recommended for patients with CS due to NSTE-ACS, independent of the time delay from
I B
symptom onset, if the coronary anatomy is amenable to PCI.205,417
Emergency CABG is recommended for patients with CS if the coronary anatomy is not amenable to PCI.205,417 I B
It is recommended to perform emergency echocardiography without delay to assess LV and valvular function and exclude mechanical
I C
complications.
In cases of haemodynamic instability, emergency surgical or catheter-based repair of mechanical complications of ACS is recom-
I C
mended, as decided by the Heart Team.
Routine use of IABP in patients with CS and no mechanical complications due to ACS is not recommended.413,414,415 III B
Routine immediate revascularization of non-culprit lesions in NSTE-ACS patients with multivessel disease presenting with CS is not
III B
recommended.346,408
Recommendations for diabetes mellitus in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients
It is recommended to screen all patients with NSTE-ACS for diabetes and to monitor blood glucose levels frequently in patients with
I C
known diabetes or admission hyperglycaemia.
Avoidance of hypoglycaemia is recommended.424427 I B
Recommendations for patients with chronic kidney disease and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Risk stratification in CKD
It is recommended to apply the same diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in patients with CKD (dose adjustment may be necessary)
I C
as for patients with normal renal function.
It is recommended to assess kidney function by eGFR in all patients. I C
Myocardial revascularization in patients with CKD
Use of low- or iso-osmolar contrast media (at lowest possible volume) are recommended in invasive strategies.205,441,442,445,446 I A
Recommendations for older persons with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
It is recommended to apply the same diagnostic strategies in older patients as for younger patients.458 I B
It is recommended to apply the same interventional strategies in older patients as for younger patients.463,467 I B
The choice of antithrombotic agent and dosage, as well as secondary preventions, should be adapted to renal function, as well as spe-
I B
cific contraindications.461
Recommendations for lifestyle managements after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Improvement of lifestyle factors in addition to appropriate pharmacological management is recommended in order to reduce all-
I A
cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and improve health-related quality of life.487497
Cognitive behavioural interventions are recommended to help individuals achieve a healthy lifestyle.498500 I A
Multidisciplinary exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is recommended as an effective means for patients with CAD to achieve a
healthy lifestyle and manage risk factors in order to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and improve health- I A
487,497,501
related quality of life.
Involvement of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals (cardiologists, general practitioners, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, psy-
chologists, pharmacists) is recommended in order to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and improve I A
health-related quality of life.492,499,502,503
Psychological interventions are recommended to improve symptoms of depression in patients with CAD in order to improve health-
I B
related quality of life.504,505
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for patients with CAD, especially in the older person, in order to improve
I B
morbidity.505511
Continued
ESC Guidelines 59
Recommendations for pharmacological long-term management after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (excluding
antithrombotic treatments)
Lipid-lowering drugs
Statins are recommended in all NSTE-ACS patients. The aim is to reduce LDL-C by >_50% from baseline and/or to achieve LDL-C
I A
<1.4 mmol/L (<55 mg/dL).533,534
If the LDL-C goalf is not achieved after 46 weeks with the maximally tolerated statin dose, combination with ezetimibe is
I B
recommended.514,535

If the LDL-C goalf is not achieved after 46 weeks despite maximally tolerated statin therapy and ezetimibe, the addition of a PCSK9
I B
inhibitor is recommended.520,535
ACE inhibitors or ARBs
ACE inhibitors (or ARBs in cases of intolerance to ACE inhibitors) are recommended in patients with heart failure with reduced
LVEF (<40%), diabetes, or CKD unless contraindicated (e.g. severe renal impairment, hyperkalaemia, etc.) in order to reduce all-cause I A
and cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular morbidity.536538
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are recommended in patients with systolic LV dysfunction or heart failure with reduced LVEF (<40%).539541 I A
MRAs
MRAs are recommended in patients with heart failure with reduced LVEF (<40%) in order to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular
I A
mortality and cardiovascular morbidity.548,549
Proton pump inhibitors
Concomitant use of a proton pump inhibitor is recommended in patients receiving aspirin monotherapy, DAPT, DAT, TAT, or OAC
I A
monotherapy who are at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in order to reduce the risk of gastric bleeds.169
ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACS = acute coronary syndromes; AF = atrial fibrillation; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; b.i.d. = bis in die (twice a day); CABG =
coronary artery bypass graft(ing); CAD = coronary artery disease; CCTA = coronary computed tomography angiography; CHA2DS2-VASc = Congestive heart failure,
Hypertension, Age >_75 years (2 points), Diabetes, Stroke (2 points)_Vascular disease, Age 65_74, Sex category (female); CKD = chronic kidney disease; CMR = cardiac mag-
netic resonance; CS = cardiogenic shock; DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy; DAT = dual antithrombotic therapy; DES = drug-eluting stent; ECG = electrocardiogram/electro-
cardiography; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; ESC = European Society of Cardiology; FFR = fractional flow reserve; GDF-15 = growth differentiation factor 15;
GP = glycoprotein; GRACE = Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; h-FABP = heart-type fatty acid-binding protein; hs-cTn = high-sensitivity cardiac troponin; IABP =
intra-aortic balloon pump; ICA = invasive coronary angiography; INR = international normalized ratio; i.v. = intravenous; LD = loading dose; LDL-C = low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol; LMWH = low-molecular-weight heparin; LV = left ventricular; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; MD = maintenance dose; MI = myocardial infarction;
MINOCA = myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries; MRA = mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist; NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant;
NSTEMI = non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; NSTE-ACS = non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome; OAC = oral anticoagulation/anticoagulant;
o.d. = once daily; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; PCSK9 = proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9; TAT = triple antithrombotic therapy; UFH = unfractionated
heparin; VKA = vitamin K antagonist.
a
b
Level of evidence.
c
Does not apply to patients discharged the same day in whom NSTEMI has been ruled out
d
If none of the following criteria: haemodynamically unstable, major arrhythmias, LVEF <40%, failed reperfusion, additional critical coronary stenoses of major vessels, complica-
tions related to percutaneous revascularization, or GRACE risk score >140 if assessed.
e
If one or more of the above criteria are present.
f
For patients at very high cardiovascular risk (such as patients with ACS), an LDL-C reduction of at least 50% from baseline and an LDL-C goal <1.4 mmol/L (<55 mg/dL) are
recommended.512
15 Supplementary data ..
.. Boston, United States of America; Paul Dendale, Faculty of
Supplementary Data with additional Supplementary Figures, Tables,
.. Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium;
.. Maria Dorobantu, Cardiology, "Carol Davila" University of
and text complementing the full text are available on the European ..
Heart Journal website and via the ESC website at www.escardio.org/
.. Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Thor Edvardsen,
.. Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Thierry
guidelines. ... Folliguet, UPEC, Cardiac surgery, Hôpital Henri Mondor
..
.. (Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris), Créteil, France; Chris P.
..
16 Appendix ..
..
Gale, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; Martine Gilard,
Author/Task Force Member Affiliations: Emanuele
..
.. Cardiology, CHU La Cavale Blanche, Brest, France; Alexander
Barbato, Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, .. Jobs, Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Heart Center
..
Napoli, Italy; Olivier Barthélémy, Sorbonne Université, ACTION .. Leipzig at University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Peter Jüni, Li Ka
Study Group, Institut de Cardiologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salp^eetrière .. Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada;
..
(Assistance Publique- Hôpitaux de Paris) (AP-HP), Paris, France; .. Ekaterini Lambrinou, Department of Nursing, School of Health
Johann Bauersachs, Department of Cardiology and Angiology, .. Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus; Basil
..
Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Deepak L. Bhatt, .. S. Lewis, Cardiovascular Clinical Trials Institute, Lady Davis Carmel
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, .. Medical Center and the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport School of
60 ESC Guidelines
..
Medicine, Haifa, Israel; Julinda Mehilli, Munich University Clinic, .. Ingibjörg J. Guðmundsdottir; Ireland: Irish Cardiac Society, Aaron J.
Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; Emanuele .. Peace; Israel: Israel Heart Society, Roy Beigel; Italy: Italian
..
Meliga, Interventional Cardiology, AO Mauriziano Umberto I, Turin, .. Federation of Cardiology, Ciro Indolfi; Kazakhstan: Association of
Italy; Béla Merkely, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis .. Cardiologists of Kazakhstan, Nazipa Aidargaliyeva; Kosovo
..
University, Budapest, Hungary; Christian Mueller, Cardiovascular .. (Republic of): Kosovo Society of Cardiology, Shpend Elezi;
Research Institute Basel (CRIB) and Cardiology, University Hospital .. Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Society of Cardiology, Medet Beishenkulov;
..
Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Marco Roffi, Geneva .. Latvia: Latvian Society of Cardiology, Aija Maca; Lithuania:
University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Frans H. Rutten, .. Lithuanian Society of Cardiology, Olivija Gustiene; Luxembourg:
..

General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, .. Luxembourg Society of Cardiology, Philippe Degrell; Malta: Maltese
University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, .. Cardiac Society, Andrew Cassar Maempel; Moldova (Republic
..
Netherlands; Dirk Sibbing, Privatklinik Lauterbacher Mühle am .. of): Moldavian Society of Cardiology, Victoria Ivanov; Netherlands:
Ostersee, Munich, Germany; and Ludwig-Maximilians Universit€at .. Netherlands Society of Cardiology, Peter Damman; North
..
München, Munich, Germany; George C.M. Siontis, Department of .. Macedonia: North Macedonian Society of Cardiology, Sasko
Cardiology, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland. .. Kedev; Norway: Norwegian Society of Cardiology, Terje K. Steigen;
..
.. Poland: Polish Cardiac Society, Jacek Legutko; Portugal:
.. Portuguese Society of Cardiology, Jo~ao Morais; Romania:
ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG): Stephan ..
Windecker (Chairperson) (Switzerland), Victor Aboyans (France), .. Romanian Society of Cardiology, Dragos Vinereanu; Russian
.. Federation: Russian Society of Cardiology, Dmitry Duplyakov; San
Colin Baigent (United Kingdom), Jean-Philippe Collet (France), ..
Veronica Dean (France), Victoria Delgado (Netherlands), Donna .. Marino: San Marino Society of Cardiology, Marco Zavatta; Serbia:
.. Cardiology Society of Serbia, Milan Pavlovic; Slovakia: Slovak
Fitzsimons (United Kingdom), Chris P. Gale (United Kingdom), ..
Diederick E. Grobbee (Netherlands), Sigrun Halvorsen (Norway), .. Society of Cardiology, Marek Orban; Slovenia: Slovenian Society of
..
Gerhard Hindricks (Germany), Bernard Iung (France), Peter Jüni .. Cardiology, Matjaz Bunc; Spain: Spanish Society of Cardiology, Borja
(Canada), Hugo A. Katus (Germany), Ulf Landmesser (Germany),
.. Iba~nez; Sweden: Swedish Society of Cardiology, Robin Hofmann;
..
Christophe Leclercq (France), Maddalena Lettino (Italy), Basil S. .. Switzerland: Swiss Society of Cardiology, Oliver Gaemperli;
Lewis (Israel), Béla Merkely (Hungary), Christian Mueller
.. Syrian Arab Republic: Syrian Cardiovascular Association, Yassin
..
(Switzerland), Steffen E. Petersen (United Kingdom), Anna Sonia .. Bani Marjeh; Tunisia: Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardio-
Petronio (Italy), Dimitrios J. Richter (Greece), Marco Roffi
.. Vascular Surgery, Faouzi Addad; Turkey: Turkish Society of
..
(Switzerland), Evgeny Shlyakhto (Russian Federation), Iain A. .. Cardiology, Eralp Tutar; Ukraine: Ukrainian Association of
Simpson (United Kingdom), Miguel Sousa-Uva (Portugal), Rhian M.
.. Cardiology, Alexander Parkhomenko; United Kingdom of Great
..
Touyz (United Kingdom). .. Britain and Northern Ireland: British Cardiovascular Society,
.. Nina Karia.
..
ESC National Cardiac Societies actively involved in the review
..
.. 17 References
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European Heart Journal (2020) 00, 179 ESC GUIDELINES

2020 ESC Guidelines for the management of

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Authors/Task Force Members: Jean-Philippe Collet * (Chairperson) (France),

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HIT Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

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Table 1 Classes of recommendations

Class I Evidence and/or general agreement Is recommended or is indicated

Class IIa Weight of evidence/opinion is in Should be considered

Class IIb May be considered

Class III Evidence or general agreement that the Is not recommended

given treatment or procedure is not

Table 2 Levels of evidence

Level of Data derived from multiple randomized clinical trials

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comprehensive review of the published evidence for management

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• Definition of high bleeding risk

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Table 3 Clinical implications of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays

Compared with standard cardiac troponin assays, hs-cTn assays:

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0 h/1 h algorithm Very low Low No 1hD High 1hD

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observed more often as a differential diagnosis and usually requires

Recommendations Classa Levelb

Diagnosis and risk stratification

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0 h = time of first blood test; 1 h, 2 h, 3 h = 1, 2, or 3 h after the first blood test.

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Recommendations on biomarker measurements for prognostic stratification

Recommendations Classa Levelb

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.. Infarction 38 (TRITON-TIMI 38) trials,170,171 DAPT including aspirin

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of the study, amongst multiple others, include its open-label design

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Recommendations Classa Levelb

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5.1.2 Peri-interventional anticoagulant treatment

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Table 10 Treatment options for extended dual antithrombotic or antiplatelet therapies

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significant increase in the risk of fatal, intracranial, or critical organ

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