Abstract 12910: Use of Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Optimal Medical Therapy (OMT) in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or Heart Failure (HF) is underused despite known benefits. The rate of OMT use among patients enrolled in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is not well known. Purpose: To describe prevalence and characteristics of OMT use in patients with CAD or HF undergoing CR. Methods: CAD patients were defined as those with prior MI, PCI, CABG, or angina. OMT for CAD patients required all currently guideline-recommended medications (aspirin or antiplatelet, statins, beta-blockers (BB); and ACEi/ARB for concurrent HF or DM). The HF group included patients referred to CR for HFrEF or for another indication and had documented left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF<40%, echocardiography). OMT for HF required BB, spironolactone and either ACEi/ARB or Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) use. Predictors of OMT were identified using with multivariable logistic regression. Results: From January 2015 to December 2019, 612 patients (mean age: 65, 23% female) with CAD were enrolled in CR, with 483 (79%) patients meeting all OMT criteria. CAD patients on OMT were more likely to have hypertension (85%), hyperlipidemia (94%) but less angina (8%). Prior MI, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and 6-minute walk distance were significantly associated with OMT use.Of 131 HF patients (mean age: 64, 21% female) enrolled in CR, 23 (18%) met all 3 OMT criteria—99 (76%) and 128 (98%) patients met only 2 or 1 of OMT criteria, respectively. Use of spironolactone (least prescribed), ARNI, and ACEi/ARBs all increased over the study period. Study limitations include lack of control for contraindications to medications. Conclusion: Although it has improved over time, OMT use remains low (HF 18%, CAD 79%) among patients enrolled in CR. CR may represent a unique opportunity to enhance OMT use.