Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the implementation of secondary prevention guidelines of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing peripheral revascularization surgery. The design was a descriptive study of the prevalence of cardiac risk factors and preventive pharmacological therapy in vascular surgical patients set in an academic medical center between July 1996 and February 1999. A total of 237 patients were recruited, 82 (35%) having carotid surgery and 155 (65%) having lower extremity bypass. Data were collected from an existing database of a study examining perioperative cardiac events in vascular surgery patients. The majority of patients were hypertensive and 58% of patients had a blood pressure >140/90 mmHg. Most patients (81%) reported a history of tobacco use and 23% were active smokers. Of the 41% of patients who were diabetic, 46% had a random glucose >140 mg/dl. Half of the patients took aspirin, 35% a lipid-lowering medication, 30% a beta-blocker. Patients with lower extremity disease were less likely than patients with carotid disease to be on aspirin (45% vs. 62%), a lipid-lowering agent (30% vs. 45%), or a beta-blocker (26% vs. 39%) (all p<0.05). Of patients with heart disease, more men than women were on aspirin (62% vs. 45%) (p<0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that patients presenting for vascular surgery have a high prevalence of modifiable CAD risk factors that are not being adequately managed. Preoperative examination of vascular patients is an important opportunity to assess and implement neglected secondary prevention measures.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.