From antianginal drugs to myocardial cytoprotective agents.
The existing major classes of antianginal drugs improve quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease, but mortality in these patients remains unacceptably high. In order to limit the complications of the disease, it is vital to limit myocyte loss. Potentially, this can be achieved not only by prophylaxis, but also by protection, against ischemia. Any therapy that increases myocardial resistance to ischemia will protect against cell death and prolong the life of the myocyte, and possibly the patient. The mechanisms of cell damage during ischemia, and possible therapeutic interventions, are discussed.
Knight
C
C
Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Fox
K
K
D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology