New approaches to the pharmacological treatment of angina.

The treatment of angina is changing, with many new agents being added to those existing agents that have been used for many years. New data regarding the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors now exist and low molecular weight heparins are used more frequently with greater efficacy than unfractionated heparin. New thrombin inhibitors are also receiving a fresh look. An expert panel has recently published guidelines for the treatment of unstable angina.