title: Utilization and dosing of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for heart failure. Effect of physician specialty and patient characteristics.
abstract: To determine if physician specialty is associated with underutilization and underdosing of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors among patients with heart failure, we reviewed the charts of 214 outpatients with decreased systolic function at an urban academic medical center. Regardless of whether patients were cared for by cardiologists, generalist physicians, or a combination of the two specialities, approximately 75% of the patients were taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. However, only approximately 60% of these patients were taking dosages proved to be efficacious in trials. Emphasis on adequate dosing is needed among all specialty groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Ill 60637, USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002309:Cardiology; D002641:Chicago; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors