New Paradigms in Medical Management of Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

The evolution of medical management of coronary artery disease is the result of our understanding of the atheroma as a gradually changing inflammatory and meta-bolically active lesion elaborating a number of metabolic products, the vessel wall as an active metabolic entity, and platelets as the pivotal initiator of coronary thrombus. Modern management thus includes anti-platelet therapy, anti-thrombin therapy, and therapy directed at restoring endothelial function.