Recent advances in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Current practice guidelines provide recommendations for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Following the publication of clinical trials in recent years, this review will highlight some controversial issues: the role of angiotensin and aldosterone antagonists after acute myocardial infarction; the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with stable coronary heart disease and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction; high-intensity lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; use of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors in the elderly; and the targeting of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with niacin.