New ESC guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation

This review highlights an important novel aspect of the 2011 ESC guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation: the recommendations of a rapid rule-out protocol (0h and 3h) when high-sensitive cardiac troponin assays are available. The controversy relates to the scientific question how reliably patients can recall the onset or maximum of acute chest pain and the general question how conservative clinical practice guidelines should be. Several important arguments support the novel recommendations, particularly when accepting that guidelines should highlight treatment principles rather than individualised details. I hope that many physicians caring for patients with acute chest pain will actually take the time to read the new 2011 ESC guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. Certainly, application of the principles highlighted in there will help them in their daily clinical work.