(July 2, 2008 - Insidermedicine) An invasive strategy is beneficial for patients with a heart condition called non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS), except for low-risk women, according to a research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here is some information on NSTE ACS

•    Refers to serious conditions in which the heart does not receive enough blood.

•    Categorized as ST-segment elevation or non-ST-segment elevation. These categories refer to specific findings on an echocardiogram.

•    Occur when the coronary arteries become so clogged with plaque that adequate amounts of blood can no longer reach the heart.

Researchers out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed data from eight randomized trials exploring the risks and benefits of invasive therapy, consisting of imaging and opening up the coronary vessels, or conservative therapy, consisting of drug treatment as a primary strategy, for patients with NSTE ACS.

Although men and high-risk women were less likely to die, have a heart attack, or require hospitalization for their condition if they were treated invasively, low-risk women were not. In fact, they may even have been at a higher risk of dying or having heart attack if they were treated invasively as a primary strategy.

Today's research demonstrates how distinct subgroups of patients with the same condition respond differently to treatment. While men and high-risk women with NSTE ACS may benefit from an invasive approach, low-risk women may be better off with more conservative therapy.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.