PTEN in the Context of Myocardial Revascularization: The Iceberg Tip?

Cardiovascular diseases significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide. Within this group of diseases, coronary artery disease stands out, accounting for about 12% of total deaths in Brazil and is a leading cause of death in North America.

In addition to lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, weight loss with regular physical activity, control of comorbidities, notably diabetes and arterial hypertension, and drug treatment with antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, and statins, a significant number of patients require treatment aimed at myocardial revascularization. Diabetic, multivessel-diseased patients with obstructions in the left main coronary artery greater than 50% or with depressed left ventricular function benefit the most. This fact is due to different factors, including a decrease in ischemia and symptoms, an improvement in quality of life, a decrease in the occurrence of infarcts, and, above all, mortality improvement.

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