Nekane Murga1, Emilio Ruiz2, Vicente Pascual3. 1. Hospital Universitario de Basurto, Bilbao, España. 2. Departamento Médico, Ferrer Internacional, Barcelona, España. 3. Centro Salud Palleter, Castellón, España. Electronic address: pascual_vic@gva.es.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: European guidelines acknowledge that patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) should have LDLc levels below 70mg/dL or reduced a 50% respect to their basal levels. However, some studies demonstrated that this goal is achieved in a small number of patients. The aim of this study was to determine how cardiologists (MC) and primary care specialist (GPs) from Spain manage LDLc in ACS patients during their daily practice. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, multicentric study was conducted. Information about daily practice was obtained from 291 MC and 564 GPs across Spain. RESULTS: 68% of MC and 67% of GPs considered ACS patients to be high-risk. Most consider the cLDL targets based on European guidelines. The statins most widely used for MC are atorvastatin and rosuvastatina and for GPs are atorvastatin and simvastatin. 66.4% of GPs follow the prescription of MC. 42% of MC and 19.9% of GPs considered that 75-100% of their patients achieved the LDLc target. The main reason of not achieving this target was lack of treatment adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of adherence and poor perception of real LDLc control may contribute to the failure in achieving lipid targets in ACS patients.
INTRODUCTION: European guidelines acknowledge that patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) should have LDLc levels below 70mg/dL or reduced a 50% respect to their basal levels. However, some studies demonstrated that this goal is achieved in a small number of patients. The aim of this study was to determine how cardiologists (MC) and primary care specialist (GPs) from Spain manage LDLc in ACS patients during their daily practice. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, multicentric study was conducted. Information about daily practice was obtained from 291 MC and 564 GPs across Spain. RESULTS: 68% of MC and 67% of GPs considered ACS patients to be high-risk. Most consider the cLDL targets based on European guidelines. The statins most widely used for MC are atorvastatin and rosuvastatina and for GPs are atorvastatin and simvastatin. 66.4% of GPs follow the prescription of MC. 42% of MC and 19.9% of GPs considered that 75-100% of their patients achieved the LDLc target. The main reason of not achieving this target was lack of treatment adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of adherence and poor perception of real LDLc control may contribute to the failure in achieving lipid targets in ACS patients.