A guideline for uniform and optimal atherosclerotic risk factor assessment across clinical specialities in a large hospital.

Solid evidence is available concerning the beneficial effect of atherosclerotic risk factor management both in primary and secondary prevention. However, recent registries have indicated considerable potential for improvement of clinical practice concerning secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. The guideline 'Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerosis' is aimed at the improvement and standardisation of atherosclerotic risk factor assessment in cardiovascular patients hospitalised at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam. The guideline was developed by a task force, consisting of physicians from the Departments of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Internal Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Neurology, Pharmacology and Vascular Surgery. The guideline offers a standardised method for the identification of atherosclerotic risk factors and provides thresholds for treatment, treatment goals and the treatment of choice. A form listing all relevant data is completed before discharge and is mailed with the discharge letter to the referring physician and to the general practitioner.