title: Getting with the ACC/AHA guidelines for the treatment of chronic angina as a disease state.
abstract: The primary objective of treatment in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and stable angina is relief of symptoms and improvement of clinical outcome. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines have emphasized the role of evidence-based therapies. There have been regular updates of the guidelines, with an effort to include the latest data in the recommendations. Since the 2002 guidelines were published, there have been several pivotal studies that have provided strong support for the role of aggressive and optimal medical therapy in improving clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD. Recent data from 2 landmark studies have emphasized that optimal medical therapy is as effective as myocardial revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting in reducing risk of adverse clinical outcomes. The 2009-2010 guidelines will likely incorporate the findings of these studies and accordingly modify the recommendations for treatment of patients with chronic CAD and stable angina.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, VA Central California Health Care System/UCSF Program, Fresno, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Prakash C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Deedwania
authors.forename: Enrique V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Carbajal
mesh_terms: D000572:American Heart Association; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents