title: Daily life cardiac ischaemia. Should it be treated?
abstract: Daily life cardiac ischaemia is defined as reversible myocardial cellular hypoxia that occurs during activities of daily living, without artificial provocation. Most of these daily life ischaemic episodes are not associated with symptoms. However, it is not practical to distinguish silent versus symptomatic daily life ischaemia as both are associated with haemodynamic abnormalities and future adverse outcomes. Daily life cardiac ischaemia is best detected using ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring; however, there are other diagnostic tools (e.g. exercise treadmill) that can be used. Once detected, the optimal therapy for daily life myocardial ischaemia has yet to be identified. However, it does appear that usual antianginal medications including nitrates, beta-blockers, calcium antagonists and antiplatelet drugs are effective in reducing the incidence and severity of daily life myocardial ischaemia. Medical therapy and revascularisation should be utilised to obliterate all episodes of daily life cardiac ischaemia to prevent future cardiac events. Moreover, the efficacy of the chosen therapeutic regimen for each patient should be documented with follow-up objective testing. The diagnosis and management of daily life myocardial ischaemia is continually evolving. Future research as well as economic considerations will shape future management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Sciences Center, Gainesville, USA.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Bertolet
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pepine
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009566:Nitrates; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D001241:Aspirin