II. Medications: Beta Blocker
- Contraindications: Following ST Elevation MI
- Includes general contraindications (see below)
- Delayed management of STEMI
- Signs of Heart Failure, low output state or risk of Cardiogenic Shock
- Age over 70 years
- Heart Rate <60 or over 110
- Systolic Blood Pressure <120 mmHg
- Contraindications: General
- Overt Congestive Heart Failure
- Bradycardia (Heart Rate under 60)
- Acute Exacerbation of Asthma
- Second degree Heart Block or PR Interval > 0.24 seconds (relative contraindication)
- Preferred Beta Blockers after Myocardial Infarction
- Metoprolol
- Titrate over weeks to months to a maximum of 200 mg daily
- Carvedilol (if decreased ejection fraction)
- Titrate over weeks to months to a maximum of 50 mg daily
- Metoprolol
- Protocol (AHA)
- Start within 24 hours of Myocardial Infarction
- Aim for resting Heart Rate of 55-60
- If systolic Blood Pressure is low, decrease non-Beta Blockers first (e.g. Diuretics, nitrates, Calcium Channel Blockers)
- Preserved systolic function (ejection fraction)
- Continue Beta Blocker for at least 1 year (previously 3 years) following Myocardial Infarction
- Reduced systolic function LVEF <40 to 50%
- Titrate gradually (typically Carvedilol) and continue indefinately
- Start within 24 hours of Myocardial Infarction
- Efficacy
- May not improve short-term or longterm mortality in Myocardial Infarction with preserved systolic function
- Beta Blockers do not reduce overall mortality beyond first 30 days after Myocardial Infarction
- Primary benefit in Post-MI is for those with reduced ejection fraction (<50%)
- Continue for at least 1 year after Myocardial Infarction (previously recommended for 3 years)
- Post-MI with revascularization and preserved ejection fraction appears to benefit little from Beta Blockers
- Yndigegn (2024) N Engl J Med 390(15):1372-81 +PMID: 38587241 [PubMed]
III. Medications: ACE Inhibitor (or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker if unable to take ACE Inhibitor)
- Indications (Consider in all patients following Myocardial Infarction)
- Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction <40%
- Hypertension
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Efficacy: Very significant benefit
- Lower overall mortality
- Lower Cardiovascular death
- Lower sudden death
- Lower sudden Congestive Heart Failure
-
ACE Inhibitors (Preferred)
- Lisinopril (titrate to 20 mg daily)
- Ramipril (titrate to 10 mg daily)
- Trandolapril (titrate to 4 mg daily)
-
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) if ACE Inhibitors are contraindicated (i.e. cough)
- Candesartan (titrate to 32 mg daily)
- Telmisartan (titrate to 80 mg daily)
- Valsartan (titrate to 320 mg daily)
- Protocol
- Started within first 48 hours following Myocardial Infarction
- Avoid using Angiotensin Receptor Blocker together in combination with ACE Inhibitor
- No added benefit and increased adverse effects
- Variable data on efficacy in first 24 hours
- Some early studies suggested may be detrimental if given in first 24 hours
- Recent studies suggest mortality benefit in first 24 hours
- Perez (2009) Cochrane Database Syst Rev (4): CD006743 [PubMed]
- References
IV. Medications: Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors)
- Efficacy
- Prescribe a Statin drug in patients discharged post-Myocardial Infarction
- Lowers risk of recurrent symptomatic ischemic event
- MIRACL study started Lipitor within 96 hours of ACS
- Schwartz (2001) JAMA 285:1711-8 [PubMed]
- Protocol
- Aim for 50-60% LDL Cholesterol reduction (and LDL <70 mg/dl)
- Consider high dose Statin (e.g. Atorvastatin 80 mg) in those with Myocardial Infarction while on lower dose Statin
- Higher dose Statins (e.g. Atorvastatin) reduce cardiovascular events over the subsequent 2 years after ACS/MI
V. Medications: Antiplatelet Therapy
- See Antiplatelet Therapy for Vascular Disease
- Aspirin
- P2Y Inhibitor (e.g Clopidogrel)
- Used with Aspirin following ST Elevation MI or PCI
- Continue as dual therapy with Aspirin for at least 1 year
VI. Medications: Aldosterone Blocker (e.g. Eplerenone)
-
Eplerenone indications (as second line adjunct to ACE Inhibitor AND Beta Blocker)
- Congestive Heart Failure with ejection fraction <40%
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Contraindications
- Serum Potassium >5.0 mEq/L
- Creatinine Clearance >30 ml/min
- Efficacy
- Decreased cardiovascular and all cause mortality when started early (3 days) following Myocardial Infarction
- References
VII. Medications: Antianginals
-
Nitroglycerin: Short Acting Nitrates (sublingual)
- All patients with Coronary Artery Disease should have Nitroglycerin on their person
-
Nitroglycerin: Long Acting Nitrates
- No evidence that prolongs life
VIII. Medications: Specific indications
-
Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Coumadin with Aspirin does not lower mortality rate
- Does lower recurrent MI and CVA risk
- Rothberg (2005) Ann Intern Med 143:241-50 [PubMed]
- Indications
- Thrombophlebitis
- Large antero-apical Myocardial Infarction
- Mural thrombus
- Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction under 25%
- Coumadin with Aspirin does not lower mortality rate
-
Implantable Defibrillator Indications
- Ejection Fraction <30%
IX. Medications: Miscellaneous
-
Magnesium oral supplementation
- Appears to improve Angina and Exercise tolerance
- Shechter (2003) Am J Cardiol 91:517-21 [PubMed]
X. Management: Comorbid Major Depression
- Major Depression significantly increases mortality
- Treat comorbid Major Depression aggressively
- See Myocardial Infarction Stabilization for prognosis
- References
XI. Precautions: NSAIDS are contraindicated (esp. post-STEMI)
- Acute
- NSAIDS are absolutely contraindicated in acute post-STEMI period
- Increased risk of mortality, reinfarction, Heart Failure and myocardial rupture post-STEMI
- Long-term
- Consider NSAIDs as a medication allergy in post-STEMI patients
- Choose non-NSAID agents first: Acetaminophen, Tramadol
- Consider non-acetylated Salicylates (Exercise caution due to Peptic Ulcer risk)
- If pain refractory to non-NSAID Analgesics
- Use non-cox2 selective agents (e.g. Naprosyn) sparingly