ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Traditional management of myocardial infarction (MI) focuses on limiting the extent of ischemia by combining medical therapies with strategies such as percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), coronary artery bypass surgery, or thrombolytic therapy to restore blood flow to the ischemic myocardium. Medications such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), beta-blockers, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, coupled with early intervention to stop the progression of myocyte damage have clearly had an impact on the morbidity and mortality of coronary artery disease. These medications and revascularization have helped bring about a dramatic improvement in life expectancy throughout the Western world.
