[Insufficient blood pressure control following coronary revascularization]

After coronary revascularization, anti-angina treatment is often withdrawn or reduced while the ejection fraction tends to improve. Both contribute to increase blood pressure (BP). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate BP control in patients after revascularization procedures.

In 190 patients (48 females) who had passed a coronary revascularization procedure at least 12 months earlier, the blood pressure was measured both at the ambulatory and at the clinic; blood samples were drawn for determination of lipids and plasma glucose; body mass index (BMI) was determined; the clinical history was taken with special emphasis on medication and smoking habits.

The mean BP was 134.2 +/- 17.6/81.1 +/- 9.7 mmHg at the clinic and the daytime ambulatory value was 132.8 +/- 13.8/78.3 +/- 8.7 mmHg. Poor BP control was found in 42.6% of the patients according to clinic measurements and in 51.6% according to ambulatory measurements. Among the patients with known diabetes, 64.3% were poorly controlled according to clinic measurements and 75.0% according to ambulatory measurements. Medicines with BP lowering effects were taken by 79.0% of the patients. BMI was above 25 in 71.6% of the patients, whereas 58.9% of the patients had total cholesterol >or= 4.5 mmol/l. Twenty-eight percent were still smokers a year after revascularization.

The BP control in patients after revascularization is unsatisfactory as approximately half of the study participants had a BP above the recommended ranges.