[Drugs in secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease: achievements, problems and prospects]

The paper provides critical reviews of the progress made in the past 25 years in studies on long-term drug prophylaxis of coronary heart disease. Particular attention is given to general problems, including those in the application of three major groups of antianginal agents, namely, nitrates, beta-adrenoblockers, and calcium antagonists to the prolonged secondary prevention of the disease. It has been shown that there is every prospects of future studies in this area. A general conclusion is drawn from a number of investigations performed at the Preventive Pharmacological Department, All-Union Cardiology Research Center, and in the All-Union Research Center of Preventive Medicine, USSR Ministry of Health over the past 5 years. These involve methodologically complicated matters of choice and long-term usage of drugs, including antianginal drugs within the collaborative studies.