Email this article 
Cardiovascular Risk Management With Liaison Critical Path in Japan: Its Effects on Implementation of Evidence-Based Prevention in Practice
Abstract
Methods: We conducted an observational study of CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in our hospital between September 2007 and June 2010; these patients were managed with an LCP by referring physicians after discharge. We surveyed implementation of scheduled hospital visits, prescription of cardioprotective medicines, and risk factor measurements 6 and 12 months after discharge.
Results: Implementation rate of hospital visits was significantly elevated from 50.7% to 89.3% after establishing LCPs. At the 12-month visit, prescription rates for anti-platelet drugs, statins, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type I receptor blockers were 99.7%, 95.0%, 77.1%, and 74.3%, respectively. Target achievement rates for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; < 100 mg/dL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; >= 40 mg/dL) significantly increased from 48.6% to 64.5% and 62.0% to 82.7%, respectively, while those for body mass index (BMI; < 25 kg/m2), blood pressure (< 130/80 mmHg), triglycerides (< 150 mg/dL), and HbA1c (< 7.0 %) were unchanged. BMI, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, and HbA1c levels significantly improved in patients who implemented all visits. Moreover, risk factor management did not differ significantly between cardiologists and non-cardiologists using LCPs.
Conclusion: LCPs for CAD may facilitate implementation of optimal medical therapy and target achievement of risk factors in practice.
doi:10.4021/jocmr845w