Jozef Kalužay, Oľga Jurkovičová
Term acute coronary syndromes refers to variety of serious forms of coronary heart disease, which range from unstable angina through non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to sudden cardiac death. ECG plays an critical role in initial classification and risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. Based on ECG two forms of acute coronary syndromes are defined – with ST-segment elevation and without ST-segment elevation. Pathophysiology, course, prognosis and treatment strategy is essentially different in these two groups. Identification of ECG markers of higher risk of complications and death, such as continuous ST segment depressions, marked ST segment elevations in more leads facing mainly anterior wall, malignant ventricular arrhythmias, significant atrioventricular blocks and bundle branch blocks should lead to maximal use of all available treatment strategies including more aggressive invasive and interventional methods.