American College of Physicians unveils tools to improve acute coronary syndrome care

April 12, 2013 -- The American College of Physicians (ACP) today unveiled two evidence-based interventions and two videos to improve the health outcomes of patients in the first year following an initial acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event such as heart attack and unstable angina (chest pain or discomfort but no part of the heart muscle dies), the most common indications of ACS.

About five million patients in the U.S. are at risk for ACS and approximately 134,000 die from it every year. ACS results in almost 1.2 million hospitalizations annually with 70 percent of those from heart attack and 30 percent from unstable angina.

ACP's Initiative on Acute Coronary Syndrome aims to bridge the communication gap between clinicians and patients in the home or hospital. Because care in the 12 months after an initial ACS event is so important, the initiative focuses on improving health outcomes in the first year utilizing four key interventions suited to the varied needs of patients and clinicians: a patient guide, a clinician support tool, and two videos.

These easy-to-understand, straightforward materials in multiple formats will facilitate communication between clinicians and patients, helping to prevent instances of and improve treatment of heart attack and unstable angina, said David L. Bronson, MD, FACP, president, ACP.