Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Treatment

Abstract

Stable coronary artery disease refers to a reversible supply/demand mismatch related to ischemia, a history of myocardial infarction, or the presence of plaque documented by catheterization or computed tomography angiography. Patients are considered stable if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are controlled by medications or revascularization. Treatment involves risk factor management, antiplatelet therapy, and antianginal medications. Tobacco cessation, exercise, and weight loss are the most important lifestyle modifications. Treatment of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension should be optimized to reduce cardiovascular risk. All patients should be started on a statin unless contraindicated. No data support the routine use of monotherapy with nonstatin drugs such as bile acid sequestrants, niacin, ezetimibe, or fibrates. Studies of niacin and fibrates as adjunctive therapy found no improvement in patient outcomes. Aspirin is the mainstay of antiplatelet therapy; clopidogrel is an alternative. Antianginal medications should be added in a stepwise approach beginning with a beta blocker. Calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and ranolazine are used as adjunctive or second-line therapy when beta blockers are ineffective or contraindicated. Select patients may benefit from coronary revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting.