[Early percutaneous revascularization in patients with unstable angina. Current results and comparison with
A Bethencourt1, C Fernández-Palomeque, A Gómez-Jaume
1Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca. a.bethencourt@teleline.es
Insights
For ongoing angina despite treatment, early revascularization is debated. Review suggests reconsidering invasive procedures, favoring medical management until non-invasive tests identify suitable candidates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Optimal medical therapy (OMT) is standard for angina.
- Coronary angiography and revascularization are options for refractory angina.
- The timing of invasive procedures versus conservative management is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the benefits of modern medical therapy for angina.
- To analyze problems associated with early coronary revascularization.
- To assess the role of new antithrombotic agents in percutaneous coronary interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of data from major clinical trials comparing early invasive versus conservative strategies in unstable coronary syndromes.
- Analysis of the impact of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers.
Main Results:
- Modern medical therapy offers significant advantages.
- Early invasive intervention may not benefit all patients.
- New antithrombotic agents improve outcomes in percutaneous coronary interventions.
Conclusions:
- Early invasive intervention should be reconsidered for angina.
- Medical management should be optimized until non-invasive stratification identifies patients benefiting from revascularization.
Abstract:
In patients with ongoing angina, despite optimal medical therapy, the best therapeutic alternative is coronary angiography followed by emergency coronary revascularization with surgery or angioplasty. However, whether or not all patients should have early angiography and revascularization is a matter of debate. This paper reviews the advantages of modern medical therapy in this setting and the problems associated with early coronary revascularization. In particular, it analyses the data from the main clinical trials that have specifically compared an early invasive procedure with a conservative strategy in unstable coronary syndromes. Finally, it assesses the impact of the new antithrombotic agents, such as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers, particularly during coronary percutaneous interventions. The data reviewed suggest that early invasive intervention should be reconsidered, and that patients should be controlled (if possible) under medical treatment until non invasive stratification tests allow the identification of those patients who would benefit most from revascularization.
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