Coronary Artery Disease: Advances in Cardiovascular Medicine

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common cardiovascular disease. It is of various types, such as stable and unstable angina, myocardial infarction and cardiac death. It may lead to complications such as abnormal heartbeat and heart failure. The risk factors that contribute to the incidence of coronary artery diseases include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, blood cholesterol, poor diet, alcohol consumption, etc. Individuals may have a predisposition to coronary artery disease depending on their genetics. MRI, exercise ECG, echocardiology, intravascular ultrasound, etc. are used for determining coronary artery disease. Stress echocardiography is used for diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease. It can be treated through lifestyle changes, coronary interventions such as coronary stent, angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, using drugs such as beta-blockers, nitroglycerin, cholesterol lowering medications, etc. Research in this domain is focused on stem cell therapies and new angiogenic treatment modalities. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about coronary artery disease. From theories to research to practical applications, case studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this field have been included herein. The topics covered herein offer the readers new insights in cardiology.