ABSTRACT
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The two main causes of death in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are sudden cardiac death (SCD) and heart failure (HF). The main mechanism underlying recurrent cardiac events is myocardial ischemia resulting from atherosclerotic plaque rupture or ulceration. Plaque rupture is usually the consequence of intraplaque inflammation in relation to a high lipid content of the lesion and high concentrations of leukocytes and lipid peroxidation products. Thus, in patients with established CHD, the three main aims of the preventive strategy are to prevent malignant ventricular arrhythmia and the development of severe ventricular dysfunction (and heart failure) and minimize the risk of plaque inflammation and ulceration.
