Major bleeding in acute coronary syndromes.

Treatment of acute coronary syndrome has been based on the prevention of ischemic complications by means of an- tithrombotic therapy and invasive strategies. The desired reduction reached in the recurrence of ischemic events reveals its price, an in- crease in the occurrence of major bleeding. Initially tolerated as a benign complication, it is now shown to be an important predictor of mortality. Greater attention dedicated to the prognostic impact of bleeding is recent, motivated by the development of new antithrom- botic agents. Detailed analysis of the risk factors for myocardial in- farction or bleeding is an important issue and allows institution of individualized approach. J INVASIVE CARDIOL 2011;23(11):485-490