[Secondary prevention of atherosclerosis]

Secondary prevention of ischaemic diseases due to atherosclerosis, whatever their initial territory, relies on 2 drug classes: antiplatelet agents (mainly aspirin) and statins. Despite the proven benefit of these medications on cardiovascular morbidity and life expectancy they are underprescribed. Other drugs (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, antibiotics active against Chlamydia pneumoniae) may soon increase our present therapeutic resources.