A study of the use of aspirin by general practitioners in suspected myocardial infarction

Aspirin's role in the management of suspected myocardial infarction has been well established. The general practitioner is in an ideal position to administer this well proven therapy to suitable patients. This study investigates the extent of use of aspirin by general practitioners in the acute setting in a rural area in the West of Ireland. It comprises two parts. Part one is a prospective survey of all patients referred to Roscommon County Hospital by their G.P. in a four month period with a complaint of chest pain (n=76). Details were taken regarding the characteristics of the pain, use of referral letter, presence of risk factors for ischaemic heart disease and pre-hospital administration of drugs, including aspirin. Part two is a telephone survey of the G.P.s in the referral area. They were asked whether they carried each of six common drugs, including aspirin, in their doctor's bag. Less than two thirds of G.P.s contacted carried aspirin routinely in their bag and less than 10% administered aspirin in patients with chest pain highly suspicious of cardiac ischaemia. Discussion includes a review of relevant recent literature and exploration of possible reasons for the results.