UMEM Educational Pearls

Secondary Prevention in AMI

Just as aspirin is pivotal in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, medications such as beta-blocker, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been proven to be essential in secondary prevention of AMI.

Patients after AMI are typically discharged on appropriate secondary prevention medications; however the prescribed doses are often far below the proven efficacy based on clinical trials.

A review of 6,748 patients from 31 hospitals enrolled in 2 U.S. registries (2003 to 2008) illustrated that only 1 in 3 patients were prescribed these medications at goal doses.

Of patients not discharged on goal doses, up-titration during follow-up occurred infrequently ~25%.

Optimal medication dosing and appropriate titration is integral to prevention of further morbidity and mortality.

References

Arnold S, Spertus J, Masoudi F, et al. Beyond Medication Prescription as Performace Measure: Optimal Secondary Prevention Dosing After Acute Myocardial Infarction. JACC Nov 5, 2013 Vol 62:19;1791-1801