Medical management of coronary artery disease revisited: the endothelial factor.
Coronary artery disease mortality can be reduced by aggressive lipid lowering. The reduction in cardiovascular events observed in the recent major lipid lowering trials is dramatically better than that seen in the classic studies of medically or surgically managed CAD from the 1970s. One postulated mechanism for this improvement is restoration of normal endothelial function through cholesterol lowering. By restoring endothelial dependent vasodilation, cardiovascular events and ischemia can be reduced. PTCA has variable effects on endothelial function. Lipid lowering is beneficial in combination with invasive CAD interventions. The appropriate management of coronary artery disease should consider the advance in medically managed outcomes provided by HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins).
Siegel
J A
JA
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents