Conclusions Organisational and professional interventions improved prescribing of statins/lipid-lowering agents and target blood pressure in patients with IHDs but there was little evidence of change in other outcomes .
Objectives Ischaemic heart diseases ( IHDs ) are a leading cause of death worldwide .
Although prescribing according to guidelines improves health outcomes , it remains suboptimal .
We determined whether interventions targeted at healthcare professionals are effective to enhance prescribing and health outcomes in patients with IHDs .
Secondary prevention in coronary artery disease. Achieved goals and possibilities for improvements.
AIM To describe presence of risk indicators of recurrence 6 months after hospitalisation due to coronary artery disease at a university clinic . METHODS The presence of risk indicators , including tobacco use , lipid levels , blood pressure and glucometabolic status , including 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and an oral glucose-tolerance test , was analysed . RESULTS Of 1465 patients who were screened , 402 took part in the survey ( 50 % previous myocardial infa rct ion and 50 % angina pectoris ) . Mean age was 64 years ( range 40 - 85 years ) and 23 % were women . Present medications were : lipid lowering drugs ( statins ; 94 % ) , beta-blockers ( 85 % ) , aspirin or warfarin ( 100 % ) and ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin II blockers ( 66 % ) . Values above target levels recommended in guidelines were : a ) low density lipoprotein ( LDL ) in 40 % ; b ) mean blood pressure ( day or night ) in 38 % and c ) smoking in 13 % . Of all patients , 66 % had at least one risk factor ( LDL or blood pressure above target levels or current smoking ) . An abnormal glucose-tolerance test was found in 59 % of patients without known diabetes . If no history of diabetes , 85 % had either LDL or blood pressure above target levels , current smoking or an abnormal glucose-tolerance test . However , with treatment intensification to patients with elevated risk factors 56 % reached target levels for blood pressure and 79 % reached target levels for LDL . CONCLUSION Six months after hospitalisation due to coronary artery disease , despite the high use of medication aim ed at prophylaxis against recurrence , the majority were either above target levels for LDL or blood pressure or continued to smoke
Conclusions Organisational and professional interventions improved prescribing of statins/lipid-lowering agents and target blood pressure in patients with IHDs but there was little evidence of change in other outcomes .
Objectives Ischaemic heart diseases ( IHDs ) are a leading cause of death worldwide .
Although prescribing according to guidelines improves health outcomes , it remains suboptimal .
We determined whether interventions targeted at healthcare professionals are effective to enhance prescribing and health outcomes in patients with IHDs .