Stable coronary artery disease - medical treatment.

The crucial issues in optimal medical therapy to improve prognosis and reduce angina symptoms are secondary prevention, effective control of concomitant diseases, risk factors and medical treatment. In spite of successful percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and medical treatment with beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, statins and antiplatelet drugs, some patients are still symptomatic. In the era of PCI not sufficient attention is paid to other drugs reducing the incidence of angina episodes: calcium antagonists, long-acting nitrates, metabolic agents and novel antianginal drugs. Substantial part of secondary coronary interventions may be avoided if angina pectoris would be properly treated. In the light of the Courage and BARI trials' results, optimal medical therapy of angina pectoris remains important part of treatment.