Abstract 1520: Are Contemporary Patients Hospitalized with Acute Coronary Syndrome Being Discharged on Intensive Lipid Lowering Therapy?: An Analysis Of 22, 807 Hospitalizations In GWTG-CAD

Abstract

Background: Based on the documented benefits of intensive lipid lowering therapy (LLT) with statins in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) guidelines recommend intensive LLT in ACS patients. However, little information is available regarding application of these guidelines in hospitalized ACS patients. Methods: The Get With The Guidelines database was analyzed for all ACS hospitalizations from 07/2005 to 04/2007 at 329 hospitals across the USA of which 277 sites reported the dose of LLT. Intensive LLT was defined as that expected to provide a >50% reduction in LDL: atorvastatin 40/80 mg, rosuvastatin 20/40 mg, simvastatin 80 mg, and any statin combined with ezetimibe. All other LLTs were considered less intensive therapy. Results: Of 60,453 ACS hospitalizations, 84.4% eligible were discharged on LLT. LLT dosing was available in 22,807 (37.7%). Of these patients only 8400 (36.8%) of ACS patients were treated at time of discharge with intensive LLT, whereas 63.2% were discharged on less intensive LLT. Comparison of demographic characteristic and clinical features revealed that older age and female gender were associated with use of less intensive LLT whereas patients undergoing PCI with a stent and history of smoking were more likely to receive intensive LLT. Admission LDL level was modestly predictive of more intensive LLT. Conclusions: In this large cohort of contemporary ACS patients, close to two-thirds of eligible patients were not discharged on intensive LLT. Age and gender appear to be significant contributors to less intensive LLT. These findings emphasize the ongoing need for implementation of current guidelines for intensive LLT in ACS patients.