Clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome in patients previously treated with nitrates.

Aims: Several reports have suggested that nitrates limit acute ischaemic damage by a mechanism similar to preconditioning. This study aims to evaluate the effect of chronic oral nitrates on the clinical presentation and short-term outcomes of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with ACS admitted to 62 acute care units from 2010 to 2011.