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Published on: May 28, 2019
Secondary adherence to beta-blockers after ST-elevation myocardial infarction without ventricular dysfunction
Ana Padilla López1, Manuel Alós-Almiñana2, José E Peris3
1Servicio de Farmacia de Área, Departamento de Salud de Gandía, Gandía, Valencia, España.
Insights
Secondary adherence to beta-blockers significantly improves 1-year cardiovascular outcomes in patients after a heart attack (STEMI) with preserved heart function. This highlights the importance of consistent medication use for better patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adequate medication intake is crucial for effective treatment outcomes.
- Beta-blockers are a key therapy following myocardial infarction.
- Understanding adherence impact on cardiovascular events is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of beta-blocker prescription and adherence on cardiovascular outcomes.
- To analyze medium- and long-term results after a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
- To assess outcomes in patients without heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of 460 patients admitted between 2008-2013.
- Analysis of beta-blocker prescription and secondary adherence (proportion of days covered).
- Competing risk analysis for cardiovascular mortality and new vascular events.
Main Results:
- Beta-blocker prescription was not significantly linked to improved outcomes at 1 year.
- Secondary adherence to beta-blockers significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality at 1 year (0.6% vs. 6.6%).
- Adherent patients showed better outcomes compared to non-adherent or non-prescribed groups at 1 year, but not long-term.
Conclusions:
- Secondary adherence to beta-blockers significantly improves the 1-year prognosis after STEMI in patients with preserved left ventricular function.
- Consistent medication use is critical for short-term recovery and outcomes post-myocardial infarction.
Introduction And Objectives:
Adequate medication intake affects treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of prescription and secondary adherence to beta-blockers on medium- and long-term and long-term cardiovascular outcomes, after a first type 1 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) episode without heart failure or left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40%.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of patients admitted from 2008 to 2013 to the University Clinical Hospital in Valencia. Competing risk analysis assessed the relationship between cardiovascular mortality or new vascular event with beta-blocker prescription and secondary adherence, defined as a proportion of days covered.
Results:
During after the first year following discharge, beta-blocker prescription was not significantly associated with better health outcomes in the 460 patients included. However, cardiovascular mortality was lower in adherent patients compared to non-adherent patients, at 0.6% vs. 6.6% (HR = 0.083; 95% CI, 0.015-0.448; p = 0.003), and in adherent patients compared to those who did not receive the treatment due to lack of prescription or lack of adherence, with 0.6% vs. 4.8% (HR = 0.115; 95% CI, 0.022-0.587; p = 0.009). These results were not observed when the complete follow-up period was analysed (median 46.7 months).
Conclusions:
Secondary adherence to beta-blockers improves 1-year prognosis after STEMI with preserved left ventricular function.
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