Management of high-risk patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in Germany: differences between cardiac specialists in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
BACKGROUND
Among patients with hypertension, those with established left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represent a high risk cohort with poor prognosis. We aimed to investigate differences in characteristics and health care management of such patients treated as inpatients or outpatients by cardiac specialists.


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional study in patients with hypertension and LVH who were referred to either inpatient care (rehabilitation hospitals) or to outpatient care (cardiology practices).


RESULTS
A total of 6358 inpatients (59.6% males; mean age 66.6 years) and 2246 outpatients (59.5% males; mean age 63.2 years) were followed up for a mean of 23 vs. 52 days, respectively. Inpatients compared to outpatients had a significantly higher prevalence of coronary heart disease, history of stroke, renal failure or diabetes. Mean blood pressure of inpatients compared to outpatients was significantly lower both at entry (150/84 vs. 161/93 mmHg) and at end of follow-up (129/75 vs. 139/83 mmHg). After adjustment for baseline blood pressure and a propensity score, differences between out- and inpatients at end of follow-up were 8.0/5.1 mmHg in favour of inpatients. Blood pressure goals as specified by guidelines were not met by 32% of inpatients and 55% of outpatients.


CONCLUSIONS
Inpatients had a higher rate of comorbidities and more advanced atherosclerotic disease than outpatients. Control of hypertension of inpatients was already better on admission than in outpatients, and treatment intensity in this group was also higher during the observation period. While blood pressure lowering was substantial in both groups, there were still a high proportion of patients who did not achieve treatment goals at discharge.
Völler
Heinz
H
Klinik am See, Seestrasse 84, D-15562 Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, Germany. heinz.voeller@klinikamsee.com
Sonntag
Frank J
FJ
Thiery
Joachim
J
Wegscheider
Karl
K
Luft
Friedrich C
FC
Bestehorn
Kurt
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002309:Cardiology / Q000592:standards*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010045:Outpatients; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors