Cardiac surgery

Coronary heart disease is caused by the build-up of atherosclerotic plaques which, over time, narrow the lumen of the coronary arteries. Acute coronary syndrome describes a spectrum of conditions caused by coronary artery disease; these are unstable angina, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Coronary artery disease is the leading cause for cardiac surgical interventions, but other causes are hypertension, valve disease, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, infections, and congenital abnormalities. This chapter provides an overview of the signs and symptoms of these conditions, as well as the diagnosis and treatment options available.