[Change of concept and pathophysiology in acute coronary syndrome].

The last decade has witnessed a major reassessement of our perceptions about the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS encompasses a spectrum of conditions including acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina and to some extent, sudden cardiac death. Furthermore, the pathophysiology of ACS is related to rupture or erosion of vulnerable plaque leading to intracoronary thrombosis as a result of activation in the coagulation cascade and platelet aggregation.