Acute coronary syndromes in patients with diabetes mellitus: diagnosis, prognosis, and current management strategies.

The incidence of type-2 diabetes mellitus is rising rapidly both in the United States and worldwide. Because of its presence in so many patients with acute coronary syndromes, it is becoming essential for cardiologists to understand the basic pathophysiology of insulin resistance, its role in the development of type-2 diabetes, and its association with accelerated atherosclerosis. Because diabetes imparts a worse prognosis among patients with acute coronary syndromes, these patients warrant aggressive antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy, as well as a more invasive management strategy.

Duke Scholars

Author Laura Kristin Newby Medicine, Cardiology