Inadequate management of hyperlipidaemia after coronary bypass surgery shown by medical audit.
OBJECTIVE
To audit the detection and management of hyperlipidaemia in patients who have had coronary bypass surgery.


METHODS
100 consecutive patients (81 men), mean age 61, who had survived at least 3 months after coronary bypass surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective review of case notes and computerised biochemistry records.


RESULTS
83 patients had at least one lipid measurement in the hospital, and of the remaining 17 patients, 10 had undergone urgent or emergency surgery. The median (range) total cholesterol was 6.7 (4.0-11.7) mmol/l and the triglyceride concentration was 2.1 (0.6-18.4) mmol/l. Only 30 patients were referred to a dietician, and 12 were given a lipid lowering drug--these interventions were no more frequent in patients with a cholesterol concentration above than below the median.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a high proportion of patients who undergo routine coronary bypass surgery have their plasma lipid concentrations measured, many patients with raised cholesterol concentrations, who would benefit from lipid lowering interventions, are not offered them.
Northridge
D B
DB
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
Shandall
A
A
Rees
A
A
Buchalter
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol