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Pharmacy Hot Topics
12/3/2009: Is PCI an Appropriate Strategy to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Older Patients with Stable CAD?
M. Blake Callaway
Feik School of Pharmacy, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
William D. Linn
Feik School of Pharmacy, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
Topics Discussed: cardiovascular event; coronary arteriosclerosis; ischemic heart disease; myocardial infarction, acute; percutaneous coronary intervention; pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular disorders.
Excerpt:
"Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is well established as an effective treatment option for reducing angina in patients that have symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) and reducing mortality in patients who have acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation or in patients who are deemed to have high-risk acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation.1 This has led to widespread use of PCI in patients with stable coronary artery disease despite treatment guidelines that advocate an initial approach with intensive medical therapy, a reduction of risk factors, and lifestyle intervention (known as optimal medial therapy).2 In 2004, more than 1 million coronary stent procedures were performed in the United States, with approximately 85% of all PCI procedures undertaken electively in patients with stable CAD.1..."
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