This case involves an eighty-one-year-old male who passed away due to cardiovascular disease. His autopsy report stated that the cause of death was due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, aortic disease, and mitral valve disease. Months prior to his death, he visited his cardiologist for an echocardiogram. It revealed thickened calcification deposits on the aortic valve leaflets and aortic insufficiency. Physical exam also showed the patient to be presyncopal and dyslipidemic, with bilateral carotid bruits. The patient was not prescribed cardiovascular medications or anti-cholesterol medications to slow the progression of the disease.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. What is the proper management of an individual with CAD?
Expert Witness Response
Beta-blockers are preferred for initial treatment of symptoms. Calcium channel blockers and nitrates are used routinely to relieve symptoms when initial treatment with beta-blockers is not successful or if beta-blockers are contraindicated or cause side effects. Ranolazine has been used successfully to improve anginal symptoms in patients who have not been successfully treated with nitrates, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers. Cholesterol lowering agents should also be administered if LDL levels are elevated. Regular exercise may reduce anginal symptoms.
About the author
Dr. Faiza Jibril
Dr. Faiza Jibril has extensive clinical experience ranging from primary care in the United Kingdom, to pediatrics and child abuse prevention at Mount Sinai Hospital, to obstetrics in Cape Town, South Africa. Her post-graduate education centered on clinical research and medical ethics. Dr. Jibril is currently Head of Sales in the US and Canada for Chambers and Partners - a world leading legal ranking and insights intelligence company.
