Background:
Cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation programmes (CVPRP) are an
established model of care designed to improve risk factor management. They have been successfully
implemented in a variety of settings, in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).
Objective:
To assess the long term impact of a nurse-coordinated, multidisciplinary, CVPRP in patients
with CHD in the reduction of lipid profile and medication prescription in clinical practice.
Methods:
The study used an analytical, experimental, population based, prospective and longitudinal
design. In Spain, the study was conducted in the Valencian Community, including two randomized
hospitals. Coronary patients were prospectively and consecutively identified in both hospitals. The
intervention hospital carried out an 8-week CVPRP.
Results:
The proportion of patients achieving improved standards of preventive care increased in the
intervention hospital compared with the usual care hospital, mainly regarding LDL-C concentrations.
Furthermore, an increased prescription of statins was found in the intervention group. However, there
were no statistically significant differences in triglycerides and glucose levels.
Conclusion:
The EUROACTION nurse-led CVPRP enabled coronary patients to control lipid profile
to the European targets. A large proportion of patients were prescribed statin therapy as cardioprotective
medication with favorable changes in medication for coronary patients. To improve the potential
for cardiovascular prevention, we need local preventive cardiology programmes adapted to the health
policy of individual countries.
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