The presentation of Unstable Angina, and Non-ST Segment Myocardial Infarct, can be difficult to diagnose much of the time. If the Physician decides to wait on it (because of his uncertainty to narrow down the differential diagnosis), dire results may occur to the patient. Indeed, should the end result be an unrecognized MI with a subsequent shortened life-span, or even death, there shall be no forgiveness.


No Forgiveness

Unstable angina
For the diagnostician,
Presents a dilemma
An uncertain admission,
Without acute symptoms
And atypical pain,
The doctor must weigh
Treatment plans in his brain.

Conservative methods
Might be cost effective,
But what if his guesses
Are under-protective,
And this unstable angina
Is a clot in the making,
While the Resident sleeps
This bad heart is breaking.

If the pain should persist
Despite treatment, for hours,
You must pray to the Gods
And the cath-fellow’s powers,
To pull one more miracle
Out of his hat,
But there is no guarantee
That he can do that.

So when unstable angina
Comes to your door,
Dare to be liberal
And challenge the score,
Because thrombotic occlusion
Is a major event,
There is no forgiveness
When you try to repent.

Fibril_late; 4/94