For a full explanation of the changes, see http://publications.nice.org.uk/unstable-angina-and-nstemi-cg94/ changes-after-publication. AATS indicates American Association for Thoracic Surgery; ACC, American College of Cardiology; ADA, American Diabetes Association; AHA, American Heart Association; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CPG, clinical practice guideline; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; HRS, Heart Rhythm Society; NHLBI, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; NICE, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; PCNA, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association; SCAI, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions; SIHD, stable ischemic heart disease; STS, Society of Thoracic Surgeons; TOS, The Obesity Society; and WHF, World Heart Federation. Amsterdam et al 2014 AHA/ACC NSTE-ACS Guideline e351 Figure 1. Acute Coronary Syndromes. The top half of the figure illustrates the progression of plaque formation and onset and complications of NSTE-ACS, with management at each stage. The numbered section of an artery depicts the process of atherogenesis from 1) normal artery to 2) extracellular lipid in the subintima to 3) fibrofatty stage to 4) procoagulant expression and weakening of the fibrous cap. ACS develops with 5) disruption of the fibrous cap, which is the stimulus for thrombogenesis. 6) Thrombus resorption may be followed by collagen accumulation and smooth muscle cell growth. Thrombus formation and possible coronary vasospasm reduce blood flow in the affected coronary artery and cause ischemic chest pain. The bottom half of the figure illustrates the clinical, pathological, electrocardiographic, and biomarker correlates in ACS and the general approach to management. Flow reduction may be related to a completely occlusive thrombus (bottom half, right side) or subtotally occlusive thrombus (bottom half, left side). Most patients with ST-elevation (thick white arrow in bottom panel) develop QwMI, and a few (thin white arrow) develop NQMI. Those without ST-elevation have either UA or NSTEMI (thick red arrows), a distinction based on cardiac biomarkers. 