Updated Strategies and Therapies for Reducing Ischemic and Vascular Events (STRIVE) unstable angina/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction critical pathway toolkit.

The Strategies and Therapies for Reducing Ischemic and Vascular Events (STRIVE) acute coronary syndromes (ACS) critical pathway toolkit, developed in 2002, has been revised and updated. The updated toolkit is based on the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI). This review highlights the major revisions to the UA/NSTEMI guidelines and illustrates and describes the revised STRIVE critical pathway tools, which include pathway flowcharts, standing orders, pocket cards, posters, and form letters. These materials are being made available online to help physicians, nurses, and hospitals implement the new guidelines and thus improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients with ACS.