Lessons Learned from the ISCHEMIA Trial for the Management of Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

The recent landmark International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA) trial was undertaken to assess whether stable angina patients with moderate to severe baseline ischemia would benefit from an invasive approach with revascularization versus a conservative approach of intensive lifestyle intervention and pharmacologic secondary prevention. This trial addressed the hypothesis that treating ischemia with an invasive approach would reduce major adverse cardiac events more than a noninvasive pharmacologic and lifestyle approach. ISCHEMIA is discussed in detail, along with current implications for contemporary management of this very common cardiac disorder afflicting millions of patients worldwide.