2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a pathological process characterized by atherosclerotic plaque accumulation in the epicardial arteries,
\nwhether obstructive or non-obstructive. This process can be modified by lifestyle adjustments, pharmacological therapies, and invasive
\ninterventions designed to achieve disease stabilization or regression.
\nThe disease can have long, stable periods but can also become unstable at any time, typically due to an acute atherothrombotic event
\ncaused by plaque rupture or erosion. However, the disease is
\nchronic, most often progressive, and hence serious, even in clinically
\napparently silent periods. The dynamic nature of the CAD process
\nresults in various clinical presentations, which can be conveniently categorized as either acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or chronic
\ncoronary syndromes (CCS). The Guidelines presented here refer to
\nthe management of patients with CCS