Background: The interaction between the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes and the use of secondary prevention medications was analysed in the French S-Témoin Registry.
Methods: The population consisted of 2433 patients seen by their cardiologists at an outpatient clinic 2-12 months after non ST-elevation ACS; the survey was carried out from September 2004 to April 2005.
Results: Overall, patients undergoing PCI (75% of the population) had higher levels of prescription of recommended secondary prevention medications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use and type of coronary intervention (drug eluting versus bare metal stents) was an independent correlate of the use of dual antiplatelet therapy. In addition, time from the acute episode was also a strong correlate of dual antiplatelet therapy. Statins were also more often used in patients with PCI.
Conclusion: Patients not treated with PCI are less likely to receive appropriate secondary prevention medications after non ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Specific efforts should be directed towards these patients, in particular as regards the prescription of dual antiplatelet therapy.