The pathophysiology of chronic ischemic heart disease
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Published on: March 27, 2018
Carl J Pepine1, Wilmer W Nichols
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0277, USA. pepincj@medicine.ufl.edu
Insights
Managing chronic coronary artery disease is crucial due to aging populations and conditions like diabetes. This review explores chronic angina pathophysiology to improve patient outcomes and identify new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) management challenges.
- Aging population, diabetes, and obesity contribute to CAD complexity.
- While overall mortality is not high, a subset of patients experiences high risk and poor quality of life due to limiting angina.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of chronic angina syndrome.
- To enhance understanding of the basis for comprehensive patient management.
- To identify potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pathophysiology of chronic angina.
- Analysis of current management strategies for chronic coronary artery disease.
- Identification of emerging therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Chronic angina syndrome is multifactorial, impacting quality of life.
- Comprehensive management is essential for patient benefit.
- Specific pathophysiological pathways offer targets for new treatments.
Conclusions:
- Understanding chronic angina pathophysiology is key to effective management.
- Novel therapeutic approaches are needed for high-risk patients.
- Improving quality of life for patients with chronic CAD is a primary goal.
Abstract:
With our success in management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), aging population and epidemics of diabetes and obesity, the management of patients with chronic coronary artery disease is becoming an increasing important part of clinical practice. Although the rates of death and myocardial infarction (MI) in this group of patients are not high as a group, a subgroup has very high risk but many have poor quality of life related to limiting angina. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiology of the chronic angina syndrome to provide an improved understanding of the basis for the comprehensive management required to yield patient benefits. Where possible, targets for novel therapeutic approaches are highlighted.
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