Contemporary management of angina: Part II. Medical management of chronic stable angina

Except for a small subset of patients with angina whose survival is improve d with coronary artery bypass surgery, chronic stable angina can be appropr iately managed with medical therapy in the vast majority of patients. Drug therapy includes aspirin, beta-adrenergic blockers, cholesterol-lowering ag ents and other anti-ischemic drugs that can ameliorate angina and improve t he patient's quality of life. Understanding how and when to use these medic ines involves knowledge of the mechanisms of these drugs as well as familia rity with the literature supporting their efficacy in various patient popul ations.