Draft Document for Public Consultation: iCARDIO Alliance Global Implementation Guidelines on Ischemic Heart Disease Management 2026

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Coronary artery disease (CAD) encompasses any pathological process capable of compromising myocardial perfusion and although numerous etiologies exist, including vasculitis, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and coronary embolism, the majority of CAD is attributable to coronary atherosclerosis, which constitutes the focus of this document. For practical purposes, CAD is considered present when any degree of atherosclerotic involvement exceeds zero percent stenosis, recognizing that even minimal coronary atherosclerosis represents a systemic disease process with prognostic implications.