Acute coronary syndrome emergency treatment strategies: a rationale and road map for critical pathway implementation

Clinical guidelines have been established to improve the effectiveness of treatment of patients seeking treatment for acute coronary syndromes and to address the variability in physician approaches to these risks. In patients with established coronary heart disease, clinical trials have consistently demonstrated reduction in morbidity and mortality with secondary prevention therapies. Both ends of this spectrum of therapy can be underused in patients receiving conventional care. Because implementation of evidence-based guideline recommendations into clinical care is limited, presented here is a rationale and process that have been successful in guideline implementation for patients with acute coronary syndromes.