Evaluating the adequacy of cardiovascular risk factor control after myocardial revascularization surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk factors (RF) for coronary artery disease (CAD) are responsible for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the percentage of patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) that attains adequate control of modifiable RF at least six months after the surgery. METHODS: Data collection was based on the review of medical records and a clinical interview of 88 patients submitted to MRS between January and December of 2004 at a reference hospital for cardiovascular diseases. The patients were interviewed in the follow-up period, between six and twelve months after the surgical revascularization. RESULTS: Mean age was 63.1 +/- 9.9 years; 51 patients (58%) were males, 86 (97.7%) were hypertensive, 38 (43.2%) were diabetic, 85 (96.6%) had hypercholesterolemia and 10 (11.4%) were smokers. Hypertension control (PA < 140 x 90 mmHg) was attained by 24.4% of the patients; cholesterol (LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl) and diabetes control (blood glucose levels < 110 mg/dl) levels were 30.6% and 31.6%, respectively. The use of antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic agents and statins, when indicated, were 96.5%, 92.1% and 78.8%, respectively. However, only 14.8% patients had their blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels within the limits accepted as adequate control. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent use of drugs to control hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, a high proportion of patients still do not achieve the target levels of risk factor control recommended by current guidelines at least six months after revascularization surgery, which suggests there is a great potential for improvement in clinical practice.

Evaluating the adequacy of cardiovascular risk factor control after myocardial revascularization surgery / Avaliação da adequação do controle de fatores de risco cardiovascular após cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica

FUNDAMENTO: Os fatores de risco cardiovascular (FR) são responsáveis pela ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Estimar o porcentual de pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (RM) que conseguem controle adequado de fatores de risco (FR) modificáveis, pelo menos seis meses após o procedimento. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu 88 pacientes, no qual se realizaram análise de prontuários e entrevista clínica, entre seis e 12 meses após a realização de cirurgia de RM em hospital de referência para doenças cardiovasculares, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2004. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 63,1±9,9 anos: 51 (58 por cento) eram do sexo masculino, 86 (97,7 por cento), hipertensos, 38 (43,2 por cento), diabéticos, 85 (96,6 por cento), dislipidêmicos e 10 (11,4 por cento), tabagistas. O controle da hipertensão (PA < 140x90 mmHg) foi atingido em 24,4 por cento dos pacientes. Para o colesterol (colesterol LDL < 100 mg/dl) e para o diabete melito (glicemia < 110), os níveis de controle foram, respectivamente, 30,6 por cento e 31,6 por cento. O uso de anti-hipertensivos, agentes hipoglicemiantes (orais ou insulina) e estatinas, quando indicado, foi, respectivamente, 96,5 por cento, 92,1 por cento, 78,8 por cento. Entretanto, analisando-se a tríade hipertensão, diabete e hipercolesterolemia, apenas 14,8 por cento do total de pacientes apresentavam níveis de pressão arterial, glicemia e colesterol LDL dentro dos limites aceitáveis. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do uso freqüente de medicações para controle da hipertensão, diabete e hipercolesterolemia, o controle de fatores de risco ainda é realizado de forma insuficiente nos pacientes revascularizados, o que sugere grande potencial para a melhoria da prática clínica.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk factors (RF) for coronary artery disease (CAD) are responsible for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the percentage of patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) that attains adequate control of modifiable RF at least six months after the surgery. METHODS: Data collection was based on the review of medical records and a clinical interview of 88 patients submitted to MRS between January and December of 2004 at a reference hospital for cardiovascular diseases. The patients were interviewed in the follow-up period, between six and twelve months after the surgical revascularization. RESULTS: Mean age was 63.1 ± 9.9 years; 51 patients (58 percent) were males, 86 (97.7 percent) were hypertensive, 38 (43.2 percent) were diabetic, 85 (96.6 percent) had hypercholesterolemia and 10 (11.4 percent) were smokers. Hypertension control (PA < 140 x 90 mmHg) was attained by 24.4 percent of the patients; cholesterol (LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl) and diabetes control (blood glucose levels < 110 mg/dl) levels were 30.6 percent and 31.6 percent, respectively. The use of antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic agents and statins, when indicated, were 96.5 percent, 92.1 percent and 78.8 percent, respectively. However, only 14.8 percent patients had their blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels within the limits accepted as adequate control. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent use of drugs to control hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, a high proportion of patients still do not achieve the target levels of risk factor control recommended by current guidelines at least six months after revascularization surgery, which suggests there is a great potential for improvement in clinical practice.