Explicit risk in acute coronary syndrome management.

At least implicitly, most clinical decisions represent an integration of disease and treatment-based risk assessments. Often, as is the case with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), these decisions need to be made quickly at a time when data elements are limited, and published risk models are very useful in clarifying time-dependent determinants of risk. The present review emphasizes the value of explicit risk assessment and reinforces the fact that patients at highest risk are often those most likely to benefit from newer and more invasive therapies. Suggested ways to incorporate published ACS risk models into clinical practice are included. In addition, the need to adopt a longer-term view of risk in ACS patients is stressed, with particular regard to the important role of heart failure prediction and treatment.