Evaluation of myocardial infarction therapy at a Canadian tertiary referral hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the appropriateness of acute and postmyocardial infarction (MI) treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Tertiary care teaching hospital.


METHODS
All patients admitted with a potential MI or who experienced an MI during their hospital stay from November 18, 1991 to September 20, 1992.


RESULTS
For acute treatment, thrombolytics, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and intravenous beta-blockers were used in 82%, 96% and 39% of eligible patients with a median time delay of 1.4, 4.4 and 1.8 h, respectively. For post-MI treatment, ASA, oral beta-blockers, warfarin and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were used in 93%, 68%, 50% and 71% of eligible patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
ASA use was considered acceptable while the other therapies were underused. The time delays in the initiation of therapies were also considered longer than desirable. Ongoing audit may aid in improving the quality of care in future patients with an MI.
Department of Pharmacy, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia.
M
M
Leung
G
G
Brown
J
J
Webb
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002170:Canada; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin