Current prognosis of unstable angina. Considerations about the results of clinical studies

In the last decade there has been a change in the clinical evolution of pat ients with unstable angina. A better knowledge of his pathophysiology has i mproved the progress in their treatment and prognosis. Aspirin and heparin have played an important role in this change. Nowadays, the rates of death and acute myocardial infarction at 6 weeks are about 2% and 5% respectively . Nevertheless, the debate about the stratification risk and the best thera peutic options persist. Part of this debate corresponds to the classificati on differences and to the heterogeneity of variables considered to be end p oints. On the other hand, the clinical importance conferred to variables id entified as predictor of worse prognosis is not valued enough, forgetting t hat the low prevalence of events results in a low positive predictive value .