title: National assessment of early β-blocker therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction in China, 2001-2011: The China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE)-Retrospective AMI Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 2007, clinical practice guidelines have recommended β-blocker therapy early in the course of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for patients who are not at high risk for complications. Our objective was to perform a national quality assessment of early β-blocker use during hospitalization for AMI over the past decade in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted medical record review of a nationally representative sample of patients admitted to Chinese hospitals with AMI and studied those without absolute contraindications to β-blocker therapy in 2001, 2006, and 2011. We evaluated the use, type, and dose of β-blockers within the first 24 hours of admission over time and identified predictors of not using this treatment both in ideal candidates and in those with risk factors for cardiogenic shock.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 14,241 patients with AMI (representing 43,165 patients in 2001, 106,167 patients in 2006, and 221,874 patients in 2011 in China, respectively), 45.1% had no contraindications to early β-blocker therapy; 21.1% had risk factors for cardiogenic shock but no absolute contraindication. β-blocker use in ideal patients was 54.3% in 2001, 67.8% in 2006, and 61.8% in 2011 (P = .28 for trend). Predictors of nontreatment were older age, lower systolic blood pressure, lower heart rate, absence of chest discomfort, and admission to a nonteaching hospital. Use in patients with risk factors for cardiogenic shock was 42.6% in 2001, 59.5% in 2006, and 52.9% in 2011 (P = .31 for trend). Metoprolol was used most frequently (91.5%), but dosages were often below those recommended in guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of early β-blocker therapy for patients with AMI in China is suboptimal, with underuse in patients who could benefit and substantial use among those who might be harmed. Patterns of use have not changed over time, thus creating an important target of efforts to improve quality of care for AMI.
authors.affiliation: National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Haibo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.affiliation: National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute/University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Spertus
authors.affiliation: Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Nihar R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.; Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine; Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Harlan M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Krumholz
authors.affiliation: National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: jiangl@fwoxford.org.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists