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CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Andrew Ying-Siu Lee, MD,PhD.
Heart is mainly made up of heart muscle. The left and right coronary arteries from the aorta supply blood (with
oxygen and nutrients) to the heart. When the heart vessels (=coronary arteries) have atherosclerosis, spasm, thrombosis,
arteritis, or because of hypertensive heart disease, vulvular heart disease, heart enlargement, trauma, anemia, over activity
or exertion, smoking etc., they may lead to coronary artery occlusion or myocardial ischmia. When myocardial ischemia
becomes serious, it may lead to chest discomfort (=angina pectoris), decrease heart contractility (--> heart failure),
damage heart conduction system (--> cardiac arrhythmia), leading to coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease.
Risk and precipitaing factors of coronary artery disease include: age, smoking, diabetes mellutis, hyperlipidemia,
infection, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, thyroid disease etc.
Types of coronary artery disease include:-
(1) Acute coronary syndomes:
1. ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
2. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI = unstable angina + elevated cardiac enzymes)
3. Unstable angina
(2) Chronic coronary artery disease:
1. Stable angina pectoris
2. Prinzmetal (variant) angina
3. Syndrome X (microvascular angina)
4. Silent myocardial ischemia
Signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease include: chest tightness, pain or discomfort which may radiate
to left shoulder, left arm, neck, jaw etc., dyspnea, dizziness or fainting, palpitation, nausea, vomiting, cold sweating,
weakness, numbness of fingers etc. Angina equivalent include dyspnea, syncope, weakness, cold sweating etc.
In chronic coronary artery disease, symptoms may occur in case of exertion, anxiety, seasonal changes, smoking etc.,
and usualloy subside in 10-15 minutes after rest or sublingual intake of nitroglycerin. This is referred "stable angina pectoris".
If anginal symptoms become more severe and frequent, and occur even at rest or minimal exertion. This is referred
"unstable angina pectoris". If severe and persistent chest pain (more than 1/2 hour) associated with dyspnea, cold sweating,
nausea vomiting, dizziness, weakness etc., it may be acute coronary syndrome which include acute myocardial infarction
so called "heart attack". Since acute myocardial infarction is the most severe coronary artery disease and the immediate
mortality so high, patients should consult Emergency Department immediately whenever they have persistent or
severe chest discomfort, cold sweating, cold extremities, pallor, weakness, diaphoresis etc.
Investigation of coronary artery disease include:-
biochemistry : plasma lipids, glucose, CK, CKMB, troponin, CRP etc.
electrocardiogram
exercise electrocardiogram
myocardial perfusion imaging
stress echocardiography
cardiac catheterization
General measures of coronary artery disease include:-
- identify and treat the causes (primary or secondary)
- reduce cardiac risk factors
- antianginal drugs
- revascularization by coronary intervention if:
- ST elevation myocardial infarction
- high risk patients
- recurrent angina at rest or minimal exertion associated with electrocardiographic changes
- hemodynamic instability, heart failure, arrhythmias etc
Coronary artery disease can be divided into (1) stable angina pectoris (2) unstable angina pectoris and
(3) acute myocardial infarction, mortality of which are :-
In-hospital Mortality 5 year Mortality
1. stable angina minimal 5-10%
2. unstable angina 5% 10-25%
3. acute myocardial infarction 15-20% 10-30%
(additional mortality of
15-20% before reaching hospital)
The severity and prognosis of coronary artery disease depend on the risk factors, precipitating factors,
degree of coronary artery occlusion, heart function, body fitness, symptoms and signs, complications etc.
Complications of coronary artery disease include: cardiogenic shock, heart failure, pulmonary edema,
cardiac arrhythmias, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, thromboembolism, hemodynamic disturbances etc.
Therefore, aside from correct diagnosis, the exploration and therapy of above conditions is also important.
The therapy of coronary artery disease include: (1) medical therapy, (2) coronary intervention, (3) surgery,
(4) cardiac rehabilitation, (5) preventive measures and (6) recent research. Successful treatment of coronary artery
disease can lessen the severity of coronary artery disease, improve heart function, attenuate symptoms, and improve
life quality of patients. On the other hand, merely symptomatic treatment of coronary artery disease can only relieve
symptoms, but heart function and prognosis continue to worsen, leading to end stage heart disease.
“Coronary artery disease is not trivial disease, heart attack is killing !” Therefore, all patients with stable or
unstable angina should have regular treatment and follow up. For patient with myocardial infarction, they should
have therapy for life. Coronary artery disease patients should have good compliance, regular medical treatment,
regular examination, avoid risk and precipitating factors such as smoking, diet control, regular exercise, emotional
control, body fitness, control hypertension, control infection etc.
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