Emerging therapies for refractory angina

Abstract

In recent years, improvements in both pharmacologic and revascularization therapies have greatly increased life expectancy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). As patients with more extensive CAD live longer, many develop myocardial ischemia and clinical angina that is not amenable to traditional revascularization therapy. Patients with severe, symptomatic, chronic CAD have been described as having refractory angina; they have also been termed "no-option" patients. This article discusses clinical management of this unique and growing group of patients and emerging therapeutic options including pharmacologic agents, enhanced external counterpulsation therapy, therapeutic angiogenesis, neurostimulation, and transmyocardial revascularization.