Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease is one of the most dreaded clinical conditions since the mortality and morbidity rates associated with it are very high. It is a medical emergency, and thus needs immediate specific and supportive care, as mandated. Management of ischemic heart disease involves two modalities: the non-invasive and the invasive. Although invasive modalities are gaining more and more importance, the non-invasive pharmacological approach still maintains its significance. Although newer drugs have been developed for the management of ischemic heart disease, the conventional old-school medications like the organic nitrates, beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers, and potassium channel openers still form the first line of management. This chapter on ischemic heart disease focuses predominantly on the medical non-interventional management, but also gives a brief on the interventional and surgical options available.