The primary goal of pharmacotherapy in coronary artery disease is to:

Choice A rationale Increasing myocardial oxygen demand would be detrimental in coronary artery disease (CAD), as the underlying issue is an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand. Medications aim to decrease demand and increase supply to prevent myocardial ischemia and infarction, so this is not a goal of pharmacotherapy. Choice B rationale The primary goal of pharmacotherapy in coronary artery disease is to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and supply balance. This is achieved by using medications that decrease heart rate, contractility, and blood pressure (reducing demand), while simultaneously increasing blood flow to the myocardium (improving supply). This helps prevent ischemia. Choice C rationale Promoting vasoconstriction would be harmful in CAD, as it would further narrow already stenotic coronary arteries, thereby decreasing blood flow and oxygen supply to the myocardium. The goal of many CAD medications, such as nitroglycerin, is vasodilation to improve blood flow. Choice D rationale Increasing blood viscosity would be counterproductive, as it would make blood thicker and more difficult to pump through narrowed coronary arteries. This would increase the workload on the heart and further compromise oxygen supply, increasing the risk of thrombotic events and myocardial infarction.