Coronary Artery Disease/Coronary Heart Disease

This collection features AFP content deemed current by the AFP online medical editor on coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease (CHD) and related issues, including acute coronary syndrome, angina, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past 12 months is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

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Last Update: 04/30/2013

Screening and Diagnosis Prevention Treatment Complications and Special Situations

Editorials and Letters Improving Practice Patient Education, Self-Care Other Resources from AAFP

Screening and Diagnosis

• The Use of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography to Rule Out CAD in the ED [AFP Journal Club] (11/15/2012)
• Using Nontraditional Risk Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment [Putting Prevention into Practice] (02/15/2011)
• Using Nontraditional Risk Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (02/15/2011)
• Can ECG Rule Out ACS if Performed While the Patient Is Having Chest Pain? [AFP Journal Club] (11/15/2010)
• Global Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Assessment and Application (08/01/2010)
• AHA Guidelines on Cardiac CT for Assessing Coronary Artery Disease [Practice Guidelines] (03/01/2008)
• Cardiomyopathy: An Overview (05/01/2009)
• Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome (07/01/2005)
• Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging (04/15/2007)
• Update on Exercise Stress Testing (11/15/2006)
• Radiologic Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain—Suspected Myocardial Ischemia (08/15/2007)
• Contemporary Management of Angina: Part I. Risk Assessment (12/01/1999)

Prevention

• Dietary Fat Modification and the Risk of Future Cardiovascular Events and Mortality [Cochrane for Clinicians] (05/01/2013)
• AHA Updates Guidelines on CVD Prevention in Women [Practice Guidelines] (01/01/2012)
• Aspirin for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (06/15/2011)
• Aspirin for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease [Putting Prevention into Practice] (06/15/2011)
• Primary Prevention of CVD: Physical Activity [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (07/15/2010)
• Diets for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: What Is the Evidence? (04/01/2009)
• Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women (10/15/2006)
• Should We Use Multiple Risk Factor Interventions for the Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease? [Cochrane for Clinicians] (07/15/2002)

Treatment

Acute

• Drug-Eluting Coronary Artery Stents (12/01/2009)
• ACC/AHA Guideline Update for the Management of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (06/15/2009)
• Acute Coronary Syndrome (Unstable Angina and non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (08/15/2009)
• Unstable Angina and Non-ST- Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Part I. Initial Evaluation and Management, and Hospital Care (08/01/2004)
• Unstable Angina and Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Part II. Coronary Revascularization, Hospital Discharge, and Post-Hospital Care (08/01/2004)
• Heparins for Unstable Angina and Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction [Cochrane for Clinicians] (04/01/2009)
• Early Invasive Therapy or Conservative Management for Unstable Angina or NSTEMI? [Cochrane for Clinicians] (01/01/2007)
• Aspirin Combined with Clopidogrel (Plavix) Decreases Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome [Cochrane for Clinicians] (12/01/2007)

Chronic

• Adding ACE Inhibitors or ARBs to Standard Therapy for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews] (07/01/2012)
• Medical Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease (04/01/2011)
• AHA Releases Guidelines for Hypertension Management in Adults with or at Risk of CAD [Practice Guidelines] (07/15/2008)
• Secondary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease (02/01/2010)
• Exercise-Based Rehabilitation for Coronary Heart Disease [Cochrane for Clinicians] (08/01/2004)
• Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Children [Practice Guidelines] (06/15/2007)
• Ranolazine (Ranexa) for Chronic Angina [STEPS] (02/15/2007)
• Nutritional Assessment and Counseling for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease (01/15/2006)
• Cardiac Rehabilitation (11/01/2009)
• Prognosis for Patients Undergoing Coronary Angioplasty [Point-of-Care Guides] (11/15/2004)
• Is Prasugrel More Effective Than Clopidogrel in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Scheduled for PCI? [AFP Journal Club] (12/01/2008)
• Contemporary Management of Angina: Part II. Medical Management of Chronic Stable Angina (01/01/2000)
• ACC/AHA Revise Guidelines for Coronary Bypass Surgery [Practice Guidelines] (05/01/2000)

Complications and Special Situations

• AHA Releases Statement on Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease [Practice Guidelines] (12/01/2012)
• Beta Blockers and Noncardiac Surgery: Why the POISE Study Alone Should Not Change Your Practice [AFP Journal Club] (03/15/2010)
• Preparation of the Cardiac Patient for Noncardiac Surgery (03/01/2007)
• Right Ventricular Infarction: Specific Requirements of Management (10/15/1999)

Editorials and Letters

• Should Family Physicians Use Coronary Artery Calcium Scores to Screen for Coronary Artery Disease? Yes: Screening Improves CAD Risk Management in Selected Patients [Editorials] (09/01/2012)
• Should Family Physicians Use Coronary Artery Calcium Scores to Screen for Coronary Artery Disease? No: Screening is Unproven, Expensive, and Potentially Harmful [Editorials] (09/01/2012)
• Appropriate Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease [Editorials] (06/15/2011)
• The Case Against Routine Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention in Low-Risk Adults [Editorials] (06/15/2011)
• Is There Benefit to Coronary Calcium Screening? [Editorials] (04/15/2007)

Improving Practice

• Overcoming the Challenges Facing Quality Improvement Strategies for Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes [Editorials] (11/15/2004)

From Family Practice Management

AAFP's Journal of Practice Improvement

• Estimating the Risks of Coronary Angioplasty (11/01/2004)
• Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Clinical Interventions (01/01/2004)

Patient Education, Self-Care

• Heart Attack: What Is Your Risk? (08/01/2010)
• Coronary Artery Disease and the Use of Stents (12/01/2009)

From FamilyDoctor.org

AAFP's Patient Education Resource

• Coronary Artery Disease

Other Resources from AAFP

• METRIC. Coronary Artery Disease: Improving Patient Care