Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant health challenge, placing a heavy burden on people and healthcare systems worldwide. CAD is mainly caused by unstable plaque rupture, leading to acute coronary syndrome. Early detection has been transformed by non-invasive imaging, such as coronary CT angiography, and the addition of CT-FFR technology enables quicker and more accurate diagnoses. Biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity troponin, have further improved the precision of acute coronary syndrome detection, enhancing early intervention. In interventional cardiology, new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have lowered restenosis rates, whereas robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) offers precision and reduced operator radiation exposure. Furthermore, while the efficacy of drug-coated balloons (DCB) has been established in the management of in-stent restenosis, their application in de novo coronary lesions and bifurcation anatomy remains promising. Looking ahead, nanomedicine promises targeted plaque reduction and vascular repair, while 3D bioprinted blood vessels offer durable, biocompatible grafts for surgical applications. Pharmacological developments, including modern cholesterol-lowering drugs, have also been crucial in achieving cholesterol targets, as they have become even lower according to guidelines. Despite notable progress in coronary artery disease (CAD) management, clinical care remains reactive and often delays intervention until irreversible damage occurs, while economic burdens persist due to high treatment costs and productivity losses.
Agamy et al. (Thu,) studied this question.