Aims: To study initiation, dosages, and compliance with beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors, and statins in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to identify likely targets for improvement.
Methods and results: Patients admitted with first AMI between 1995 and 2002 were identified by linking nationwide administrative registers. A total of 55 315 patients survived 30 days after discharge and were included; 58.3% received beta-blockers, 29.1% ACE-inhibitors, and 33.5% statins. After 1, 3, and 5 years, 78, 64, and 58% of survivors who had started therapy were still receiving beta-blockers, 86, 78, and 74% were receiving ACE-inhibitors, and 85, 80, and 82% were receiving statins, respectively. Increased age and female sex were associated with improved compliance. The dosages prescribed were generally 50% or less of the dosages used in clinical trials, and dosages did not increase during the observation period. Patients who did not start treatment shortly after discharge had a low probability of starting treatment later.
Conclusion: The main problem with underuse of recommended treatment after AMI is that treatment is not initiated at an appropriate dosage shortly after AMI. A focused effort in the immediate post-infarction period would appear to provide long-term benefit.