Management of stable angina.
Ischaemic heart disease may present as a wide variety of clinical entities including unstable or stable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and occasionally heart failure. Chronic stable angina is a common condition and results in a considerable burden for both the individual and society. The goals in management are (i) treatment of other conditions that may worsen angina; (ii) modification of risk factors and treatment with medications for coronary artery disease to improve outcome; and (iii) effective relief of anginal symptoms. There are limitations to the methods available to risk-stratify patients, and the optimal treatment strategy remains unclear. The benefits of lifestyle modification cannot be over-emphasised, and appropriate attention to modifiable risk factors is paramount. The mortality benefit of lipid lowering treatment and antiplatelet therapy is well proved. However the evidence base for anti-ischaemic therapy is less rigorous, being based mainly on extrapolations from studies of acute coronary syndromes. Angioplasty has been shown to be more effective in relief of symptoms than medical therapy alone, but provides no mortality benefit. Coronary artery bypass surgery, however, has been shown to reduce mortality in patients with severe proximal coronary disease when compared with medical management alone.
Jain
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London Chest Hospital, London, UK. ajay106@hotmail.com
Wadehra
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V
Timmis
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AD
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D009566:Nitrates; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D015221:Potassium Channels