Optimal medical therapy is vital for patients with coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes regardless of revascularization strategy

Coronary artery disease (CAD) manifesting as stable angina pectoris or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is often treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the contemporary practice. However, concomitant use of optimal medical therapy (OMT) remains essential for these patients. OMT would include aspirin, a P2Y12 inhibitor (if indicated e.g., post PCI or post ACS), a lipid lowering agent (usually a statin), a β-blocker and possibly an ACE inhibitor. This editorial highlights the importance of initiation and continuation of these vital medications in cardiac patients in the context of recently published data (1,2).