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Underutilization of Beta‐Blockers in Older Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction or Coronary Artery Disease in an Academic, Hospital‐Based Geriatrics Practice
Author(s) -
Mendelson Gad,
Aronow Wilbert S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1997.tb02936.x
Subject(s) - medicine , geriatrics , myocardial infarction , coronary artery disease , beta (programming language) , bisoprolol , physical therapy , cardiology , heart failure , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
OBJECTIVE : To investigate the prevalence of beta‐blocker use in older persons with prior myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery disease (CAD) without contraindications to beta‐blockers in an academic hospital‐based geriatrics practice. DESIGN : A retrospective analysis of charts from all older patients seen during January 1996 through March 1997 at an academic, hospital‐based geriatrics practice was performed to investigate the prevalence of beta‐blocker use in older patients with prior MI or CAD without contraindications to beta blockers. SETTING : An academic, hospital‐based, primary care geriatrics practice staffed by fellows in a geriatrics training program and full‐time faculty geriatricians. PATIENTS : One hundred thirty‐nine women and 84 men, mean age 82 ± 8 years (range 67 to 96), were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS : Of 233 patients with CAD, 53 patients (23%) were receiving beta‐blockers. Of 180 patients with CAD not receiving beta‐blockers, 34 patients (19%) had contraindications to beta‐blockers. Of 199 patients with CAD without contraindications to beta‐blockers, 53 patients (27%) were receiving beta blockers. Of 162 patients with prior MI, 38 patients (23%) were receiving beta‐blockers. Of 124 patients with prior MI not receiving beta‐blockers, 19 patients (15%) had contraindications to beta‐blockers. Of 143 patients with prior MI without contraindications to beta‐blockers, 38 patients (27%) were receiving beta‐blockers. CONCLUSIONS : There is marked underutilization of beta‐blockers in treating older patients with prior MI or CAD in an academic, hospital‐based geriatrics practice. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1360–1361, 1997 .