Efficacy of beta blockade, thrombolytic therapy, and coronary angioplasty in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. In addition, ischemic heart disease is the major cause of mortality among diabetic patients. Early and late mortality after acute myocardial infarction is higher among diabetic patients. However, the effectiveness of newer treatments on diabetic patients with coronary artery disease has received little attention. This article reviews the effect of beta blockers and thrombolysis in diabetic patients after acute myocardial infarction and compares early and late results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in diabetic patients with those in the nondiabetic population.