Secondary prevention of myocardial infarction: a survey in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To collect information on the major risk factors and secondary prevention among patients with myocardial infarction in Italy.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the database of the Italian College of General Practitioners; 3588 patients (mean age 68.7 +/- 11.3 years; 2698 men, 888 women; two unrecorded gender), with an average time from event of 6 +/- 5.7 years, were identified.


RESULTS
Among the major risk factors, data entry ranged from 50.3% for physical activity to 74.9% for blood pressure. Inadequate blood pressure control was present in 49.2% and elevated plasma cholesterol levels (> 5.2 mmol/l) in 57.3%; among the latter group, 65% were on lipid-lowering therapy. Only 47.2% of the treated patients achieved a total cholesterol level of < 5.2 mmol/l. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed to 43%, 10.3%, and 57.9% of patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The preventive attitude of Italian general practitioners is similar to that reported in other European countries with two noticeable exceptions: under-prescription of beta-blockers and of antiplatelet drugs. Clearly, secondary prevention requires major improvement.
Filippi
Alessandro
A
Italian College of General Practitioners, Florence, Italy.
Vanuzzo
Diego
D
Bignamini
Angelo A
AA
Mazzaglia
Gianpiero
G
Brignoli
Ovidio
O
Sabatini
Andrea
A
Cricelli
Claudio
C
Catapano
Alberico L
AL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D008055:Lipids; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors