Multiple-Case Clinical Study
Introduction
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and
mortality in a worldwide epidemic. The epidemic of diabetes and
obesity in the developed world and the transition from infectious
diseases to cardiovascular disease in the developing world will place an
increasing demand on health-care strategies. Diabetes mellitus and
peripheral arterial disease are both coronary artery disease equivalents
[1-3].
The evolution in clinical practice and the modern management
built on clinical evidence base drawn from many studies over the past
three decades has substantially reduced mortality and morbidity
associated with acute myocardial infarction (MI) [2]. Despite the
advances in treatment of MI, the mortality rate before any therapy is
administered is still high, with half of all fatalities occurring within 2
hours of symptoms onset [4]. The success of treatment of acute MI
and chronic myocardial ischemia has improved general medical care