Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Unsuitable for Revascularization: Definition, General Principles, and a Classification

E. Marc Jolicoeur, Raymond Cartier, Tim D. Henry, Greg W. Barsness, Martial G. Bourassa, Micheal McGillion, Philippe L. L'Allier

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the present report, we review the phenotypes of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients unsuitable for revascularization procedures. We then analyze these phenotypes and propose a simple angiographic-based classification for patients with CAD unsuitable for revascularization. Under this classification, the following four distinct angiographic phenotypes are proposed: (1) suspected cardiac syndrome X; (2) limited territory at risk; (3) diffuse thread-like coronary atherosclerosis; and (4) end-stage CAD. It is hoped that such a classification system, as well as the general principles described in this report, will help to standardize the collection of epidemiological data on patients with refractory angina (RFA) and advanced CAD. It is also hoped that this system will be useful to extend the principles of clinical equipoise to the development of clinical trials of innovative therapies or devices for the treatment of RFA. Finally, we anticipate that the elaboration of this system, the first of its type in the literature, will stimulate discussion of what we feel to be a subject that has received insufficient attention in the literature, and ultimately to improved management of a challenging patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S50-S59
JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology
Volume28
Issue number2 SUPPL.
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Publication and distribution of this article are supported by Servier Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Copyright:
Copyright 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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