Myocardial infarction prevention

Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are used to treat hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmias and secondary myocardial infarct prevention following primary infarction (timolol, metoprolol and propranolol). 

Antiplatetelet Trialists Collaboration (2002) Collaborative meta-analysis of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in high risk patients. BMJ 324 71-86... 

However, already in an early clinical trial, rofecoxib was found to produce four times the number of myocardial infarctions than its comparator drug, naproxen. A subsequent trial of rofecoxib compared to placebo in colorectal cancer prevention demonstrated, after 18 months of study, that a greater number of myocardial infarctions occulted in the rofecoxib group. In 2004 the manufacturers of rofecoxib withdrew the diug from the market. A similar study of celecoxib compared to placebo in cancer prevention, showed that celecoxib also increased the risk of cardiovascular embolisms [3]. 

These dm are primarily used in the treatment of hypertension (see the Summary Drug Table Adrenergic Blocking Drugs also see Chap. 39) and certain cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal rhythm of the heart), such as ventricular arrhythmias or supraventricular tachycardia They are used to prevent reinfarction in patients with a recent myocardial infarction (1—4 weeks after MI). Some of these dm have additional uses, such as the use of propranolol for migraine headaches and nadolol for angina pectoris. 

A laxative is most often prescribed for the short-term relief or prevention of constipation. Certain stimulant, emollient, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. Fecal softeners or mineral oil are used prophylactically in patients who should not strain during defecation, such as after anorectal surgery or a myocardial infarction. Psyllium may be used in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. Fblycarbophil may be prescribed for constipation or diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. Mineral oil is... 

Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to improve vascular outcomes due to their cholesterol-lowering effects as well as multiple pleiotropic effects. In high-risk populations, statin therapy is known to reduce the risk of vascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. A meta-analysis of 10 trials involving 79,494 subjects showed that statin therapy reduced the incidence of stroke by 18%, major coronary events by 27%, and all-cause mortality by 15%. The SPARCL trial recently showed that high-dose HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors prevent recurrent stroke and transient ischemic attacks. ... 

Ticlopidine inhibits the P2Yj2 platelet ADP receptor, thus inhibiting ADP-dependent activation of the GP Ilb/IIIa receptor. It has a slow onset of action and takes 3-7 days to reach its maximal antiplatelet effect. It is inactive in vitro and must undergo activation by the hepatic cytochrome p450 enzyme system. Secondary prevention trials have found that ticlopidine-treated patients have an estimated RRR of 33% for the composite endpoint of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death after ischemic stroke. Significant adverse effects include bone marrow depression, rash, diarrhea, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. No clinical trials have studied ticlopidine for the treatment of stroke in the acute phase. 

Antiplatelet Trialist Collaboration. Collaborative overview of randomised trials of antiplatelet treatment. Part I prevention of death, myocardial infarction and stroke by prolonged antiplatelet therapy in various categories of patients. BMJ 1994 308 81-106. 

Gent M. A systematic overview of randomised trials of antiplatelet agents for the prevention of stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular death. In Hass WK, Easton ID, editors. Ticlo-pidine, platelets and vascular disease. New York Springer-Verlag 1993 p99-116. 

To control risk factors and prevent major adverse cardiac events, statin therapy should be considered in all patients with ischemic heart disease, particularly in those with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In the absence of contraindications, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors should be considered in ischemic heart disease patients who also have diabetes melli-tus, left ventricular dysfunction, history of myocardial infarction, or any combination of these. Angiotensin receptor blockers... 

Devise a pharmacotherapy and risk-factor modification treatment plan for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease events in a patient following myocardial infarction. 

Warfarin has been the primary oral anticoagulant used in the United States for the past 60 years. Warfarin is the anticoagulant of choice when long-term or extended anticoagulation is required. Warfarin is FDA-approved for the prevention and treatment of VTE, as well as the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and heart valve replacement. While very effective, warfarin has a narrow therapeutic index, requiring frequent dose adjustments and careful patient monitoring.15,29... 

Randomized trials have been completed assessing the role of antiplatelet therapy with aspirin for primary stroke prevention. The use of aspirin in patients with no history of stroke or ischemic heart disease reduced the incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) but not of stroke. A meta-analysis of eight trials found that the risk of stroke was slightly increased with aspirin use, especially hemorrhagic stroke. Major bleeding risk was also increased with aspirin use.4 Aspirin is beneficial in the primary prevention of MI, but not for primary stroke prevention. 

As of 1995, almost 38% of all women 50 to 75 years of age were using HRT.1 It was in 1996 that the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) first published its recommendations that not all postmenopausal women should be prescribed HRT, but rather, therapy should be individualized based on risk factors. This recommendation was further supported with publication of the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) in 1998, which demonstrated that women who had established CHD were at an increased risk of experiencing a myocardial infarction within the first year of HRT use compared with a similar group of women without CHD risk factors. As a result, the authors concluded that HRT is not recommended for the secondary prevention of CHD.2 Then, in 2002, the Women s Health Initiative (WHI) report was published. This trial demonstrated that HRT was not protective against CHD but... 

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