The Cardiovascular Disease Continuum Validated: Clinical Evidence of Improved Patient Outcomes

his is the second part of a 2-part article that presents a critical and comprehensive update of the current evidence for a cardiovascular disease (CVD) contin- uum based on the results of pathophysiological studies and the outcome of a broad range of clinical trials that have been performed in the past 15 years. In part I, we reviewed the current understanding of CVD pathophysiology and dis- cussed data from clinical trials on subjects ranging from risk factors for disease through stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The present article continues the review of clinical trials, beginning with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and continuing through extension of the concept of the CVD continuum to include stroke and renal disease. The article concludes with a discussion of areas in which future research might further clarify our understanding of the CVD continuum.