Article

The prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease has improved over the past decade as a result of advances in both medical and surgical therapy. Although most patients can be managed safely without surgery in the absence of left main coronary artery stenosis certain factors defined by exercise testing and assessment of left ventricular function identify a high-risk group. The prognosis of coronary artery disease in a historical context and with present therapy is analyzed. An assessment of those exercise parameters consistent with left main coronary artery disease is performed. Finally, by an analysis of six studies including more than 8.000 patients, factors are identified that allow stratification of patients into a low-risk group with an annual mortality of less than 2% and a high-risk group with an annual mortality that ranges from 5% to 10%. These features are analyzed and discussed in relation to present modalities of therapy.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Identifiant basis : 1985002915