title: Pharmacist intervention in primary care to improve outcomes in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meta-analysis of small trials suggests that pharmacist-led collaborative review and revision of medical treatment may improve outcomes in heart failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a cluster-randomized controlled, event driven, trial in primary care. We allocated 87 practices (1090 patients) to pharmacist intervention and 87 practices (1074 patients) to usual care. The intervention was delivered by non-specialist pharmacists working with family doctors to optimize medical treatment. The primary outcome was a composite of death or hospital admission for worsening heart failure. This trial is registered, number ISRCTN70118765. The median follow-up was 4.7 years. At baseline, 86% of patients in both groups were treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. In patients not receiving one or other of these medications, or receiving less than the recommended dose, treatment was started, or the dose increased, in 33.1% of patients in the intervention group and in 18.5% of the usual care group [odds ratio (OR) 2.26, 95% CI 1.64-3.10; P< 0.001]. At baseline, 62% of each group were treated with a β-blocker and the proportions starting or having an increase in the dose were 17.9% in the intervention group and 11.1% in the usual care group (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.31-2.35; P< 0.001). The primary outcome occurred in 35.8% of patients in the intervention group and 35.4% in the usual care group (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.83-1.14; P = 0.72). There was no difference in any secondary outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low-intensity, pharmacist-led collaborative intervention in primary care resulted in modest improvements in prescribing of disease-modifying medications but did not improve clinical outcomes in a population that was relatively well treated at baseline.
authors.affiliation: Long Term Conditions and Research, Pharmacy and Prescribing Support Unit, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Queens Park House, Victoria Infirmary, Langside Road, Glasgow, UK. richard.lowrie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lowrie
authors.forename: Frances S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Greenlaw
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forsyth
authors.forename: Pardeep S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Jhund
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McConnachie
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rae
authors.forename: John J V
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McMurray
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057915:Drug Substitution; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors