Drug Therapy for ACS

• Common drugs for treating ACS:

  • aspirin
  • clopidogrel and ticagrelor
  • beta-blockers
  • angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  • angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
  • calcium channel blockers
  • statins
  • diuretics
  • nitrates
  • anticoagulants
  • digoxin
  • sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
• Aspirin:

  • An antiplatelet medication used to reduce platelet formation, prescribed to patients with manifestations of atherosclerotic disease
• Clopidogrel and ticagrelor:

  • An antiplatelet medication used to reduce platelet formation, prescribed to patients following a PPCI or PCI
• Beta-blockers:

  • (e.g., Atenolol, Bisoprolol)
  • Used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, decreasing the heart's workload and helping manage conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and post-myocardial infarction
  • an anti-arrhythmic and anti-ischemic medication
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

  • (e.g., Ramipril, Enalapril)
  • Help relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce strain on the heart
  • Commonly prescribed for heart failure and hypertension
  • an antii-schemic medication
• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

  • (e.g., Losartan, Valsartan)
  • Similar to ACE inhibitors, these are used when ACE inhibitors are not tolerated
• Calcium Channel Blockers

  • (e.g., Amlodipine, Verapamil)
  • Used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias by relaxing blood vessels and reducing heart workload
• Statins

  • (e.g., Atorvastatin, Simvastatin)
  • Lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes
  • is an anti-atheroma medication
• Diuretics

  • (e.g., Furosemide, Spironolactone)
  • Used to reduce fluid retention in heart failure patients by increasing urine output
  • an anti-ischemic medication
• Nitrates

  • (e.g., Glyceryl trinitrate, Isosorbide mononitrate)
  • Used to treat angina by relaxing and widening blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart
  • an anti-ischemic medication
• Anticoagulants

  • (e.g., Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban)
  • Prevent blood clots, commonly prescribed for atrial fibrillation and after heart valve replacement surgeries
• Digoxin

  • A medication used to treat atrial fibrillation and heart failure by improving heart contractility and controlling heart rate
• SGLT2 inhibitor (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 inhibitor):

  • a class of medication primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, but it has also become an important treatment for heart failure, particularly in patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
  • Some common examples include empagliflozin and dapagliflozin
  • SGLT2 inhibitors reduce fluid, which is common in heart failure, by promoting excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys
  • This can help alleviate symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath