Atherosclerosis
Treatment Options
I. Medications
Cholesterol lowering
drugs: Statins (Lovastatin, Pravastatin,
Simvastatin, Atorvastatin and Fluvastatin),
Niacin, Bile acid sequestrants (Cholestyramine,
Colestipol and Colesevelam), Fibric acid
derivatives (Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate and
Clofibrate) and Probuchol.
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Hypertension lowering drugs: These
drugs also lower the heart rate which reduces the workload or strain
on the heart. Some of the examples of this type are Beta-blockers
(Acebutolol, Atenolol, Metoprolol, Nadolol and Propranolol), Angiotensin-Converting
Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril
and Ramipril), Calcium-channel blockers (Amlodipine, Felodipine, Nifedipine,
Nicardipine and Verapamil) and Alpha/beta blockers (Labetalol)
Blood Thinning Drugs
are classified into three types:
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Platelet Inhibitors: Aspirin, Ticlodipine,
Dipyridamole, Clopidogrel and Glycoprotein receptor agonists (Abciximab,
Eptifibatide, Lamifiban and Tirofiban).
Anticoagulants:
Heparin and Warfarin
Thrombolytics:
recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator
(rTPA), Streptokinase and Urokinase
II. Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures:
Angiography is an X-ray examination of the blood vessels to ascertain
an invasive or non-invasive procedure that needs to be performed depending
on the location such as the heart, brain or lower extremities and severity
of atherosclerosis. Those procedures may include:
A. Surgical Procedures:
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Bypass Surgery: In this procedure,
blood is rerouted or bypassed around the blocked arteries
to improve the blood supply to affected areas such as the
heart and limbs.
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Minimally Invasive Bypass Surgery:
In this procedure, a small incision is created in the chest
wall to perform a regular bypass surgery.
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Endarterctomy: This procedure
is performed to remove plaque in the carotid (which is a major
artery located in front of the neck) or peripheral arteries.
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B. Non-Surgical Procedures:
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Angioplasty: In this procedure, a catheter
with a deflated balloon is inserted into a narrowed part of the artery
and the balloon inflated to widen the inner diameter of the blood
vessel. The balloon is then deflated and the catheter removed. A permanent
stent (wire mesh) may be placed to hold the artery wide open and improve
the blood flow.
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Atherectomy: This procedure is performed
to remove plaque from arteries by using a laser catheter or a rotating
shaver type device.
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Laser Revascularization: In this procedure,
a laser creates multiple channels through the heart muscle into the
main pumping chamber of the heart. The channels fill with blood from
the pumping chamber, which then supplies oxygen and necessary nutrients
to the heart muscle. (1)
Prevention Methods
Atherosclerosis can be prevented by:
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Avoid or quitting tobacco smoking.
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Avoiding saturated fatty foods and cholesterol containing
food.
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Controlling high blood pressure.
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Controlling diabetes.
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Controlling obesity and heavy weight with regular exercise
physical activity.
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Stress management. (4)
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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