Low utilisation of cardiovascular risk reducing therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes and non-obstructive coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Between 6-25% of patients undergoing coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD).


METHODS
One-hundred and eighty patients presenting with an ACS who were taking part in a risk factor modification study and had undergone coronary angiography were examined. We compared baseline characteristics, medical treatment and 12-month outcome in patients with NOCAD (<50% lumen diameter stenosis at coronary angiography) and obstructive CAD (> or = 50% lumen diameter stenosis at coronary angiography).


RESULTS
There were 29 (16%) patients with NOCAD and 151 (84%) with obstructive CAD (CAD). Patients with NOCAD were significantly younger, more likely to be female, had higher mean total cholesterol and LDL levels, and fewer received cardiac rehabilitation, treatment with statins, aspirin, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers or clopidogrel. Over the next 12-months, there was no mortality or myocardial infarction in the NOCAD group compared to 2% in the CAD group, but 14% with NOCAD were readmitted for a cardiovascular cause including 2 patients (7%) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients presenting with ACS and NOCAD may not have a completely benign prognosis, and preventative strategies and therapies such as statins in this group of patients appear to be under-utilised.
Dwyer
Jeremy P
JP
Department of Cardiology, Concord Repatriation Hospital, Concord Clinical School and Anzac Research Institute Vascular Biology Group, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Redfern
Julie
J
Freedman
S Benedict
SB
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents