Implementation of cardiovascular secondary prevention guidelines in clinical practice: a nationwide survey in Italy

To report the implementation of cardiovascular secondary prevention guidelines following a cardiovascular event in Italy.

Data were collected from 878 consecutive patients, who had suffered a cardiovascular event requiring hospitalisation in the preceding 12-24 months and who presented at 49 outpatient clinics across Italy. Cardiovascular risk markers were assessed through clinical examination, interview and reviewing of patients' charts; in addition, we collected information on changes in prevalence of selected risk factors that occurred since the time of index event. At the time of evaluation, increased body mass index (BMI) was observed in 35% of patients, with 20% being obese; 26% had diabetes and 21% uncontrolled hypertension. Although 91% of patients were on statins, no measurement of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was available in the previous 6 months in 27% of patients and 16% had no knowledge of any lipid parameter in the same period. In the remaining patients, LDL was <100 mg dl(-1) in 57% and <70 mg dl(-1) in 20% of them. From the time of index event to interview, prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension remained stable, from 24% to 21% of patients; according to the patients' self-reporting, smoking had declined from 32% to 13% of patients and physical inactivity from 43% to 33% of patients.

This survey shows, in a large national cohort, a suboptimal implementation of lifestyle changes and inadequate lipid control in patients at high cardiovascular risk after a cardiovascular event. Reinforcement of patients and physicians, implementation and adherence to guidelines is needed to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.