DRUG EVALUATION Ranolazine extended-release for chronic angina

Coronary heart disease affects over 15 million people in the USA, and approximately 9 million have angina pectoris [101]. However, this likely represents only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of symptomatic chronic coronary disease syndromes (CCS), considering diffi culties with recognition of chest symptoms and access to medical care capable of making an appropriate diagnosis. In Americans aged 40–74 years, the prevalence of angina pectoris is higher in women than men [101]. Despite advances in prevention, as well as invasive and noninvasive management, millions of patients have limited their lifestyles to avoid angina episodes. As our aging population continues to increase in size, death rates for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continue to decrease [101], and as risk conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and hypertension become more prevalent, the number of patients with chronic angina will continue to grow.