• I A A Syed, A Riaz, A Ryan, and M O Reilly.
• Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland. asimsyed01@hotmail.com
• Ir J Med Sci. 2010 Dec 1; 179 (4): 535-7.

BackgroundSecondary prevention pharmacotherapy in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients reduces the risk of subsequent coronary events and overall mortality. International guidelines recommend use of aspirin, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and statins in post-MI patients.AimsWe performed this audit to review the compliance of prescribing practices, in a regional hospital in Ireland, with international guidelines for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.MethodsWe performed a retrospective case review of 172 patients diagnosed with MI during a 1-year period between January and December 2007.ResultsA total of 134 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. On discharge, aspirin was prescribed to 131 (97.76%) patients, clopidogrel to 126 (94%), beta-blockers to 117 (87%), ACE inhibitor to 87 (65%), ARB to 10 (7%) and statins to 116 (87%).ConclusionOur audit shows that targets for prescription of secondary prevention medications were not met in a small but significant proportion of patients and calls for review of discharge practices and education to improve compliance with guidelines.

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