After an acute coronary syndrome the admission itself is the best chance to start the measures that cut recurrence. A high-intensity statin, dual antiplatelet therapy, a beta-blocker and an ACE inhibitor or ARB where indicated are all more reliably taken when begun in hospital than when left to the first clinic visit.
Uptake falls with every deferred step, so start the bundle before discharge, book the lipid recheck and titration visit at the same time, and record a clear reason whenever a guideline-directed drug is deliberately withheld.
- Start a high-intensity statin during the ACS admission, whatever the baseline LDL.
- Confirm dual antiplatelet therapy, and a beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor or ARB where indicated, before discharge.
- Book the lipid recheck and up-titration visit at discharge, not later.
- Record a clear reason whenever a guideline-directed drug is deliberately omitted.
Why it matters
A therapy not started in hospital is often one that never gets started at all.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for cardiology, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free