COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AHA-GUIDED INTERVENTIONS FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION FOLLOWED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL SETTING IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and the incidence increases with advancing age. Myocardial infarction (MI) is a kind of cardiovascular disease in which there is reduced or no supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle due to stoppage or blockage in the coronary artery. Major objective of this research was to find out the pharmacotherapeutic interventions and prescription patterns of patients suffering from myocardial infarction are in accordance with the standard guidelines by American Heart Association (AHA/ACC) for the treatment of MI. The study was carried out at cardiology ward Mardan Medical Complex, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 130 patients were selected to be included in the study, that were hospitalized and diagnosed with MI.

Results: Results show that MI is more common in male patients (n=87, 66%), with mean age recorded as 51.7±5 years. Highest number of patients were in the age limit of 51-60 (36.25%). Various types of MI were observed during the study, with highest percentage of NSTEMI (31%) followed by IWMI (14%). Various medications were prescribed to the patients, among them enoxaparin (18%), aspirin (17%), streptokinase (12%), clopidogrel (9%) and glyceryl trinitrate (5%) were the top prescribed medications. The MI drugs that were frequently used in the treatment of MI includes anti-platelets, antithrombotic agents, beta blockers, nitroglycerin’s, ACE, and ARBs. Moreover, the most prescribed dosage form was solid dosage form i.e. tablet(s) followed by injectable.

Conclusion: It was found that 80% of the prescriptions were following the guidelines of AHA/ACC for heart patients. More prospective, randomized studies are needed in Pakistan to uncover all problems associated with prescription of MI if AHA guidelines are not followed.