Underutilization of aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and lipid-lowering drugs and overutilization of calcium channel blockers in older persons with coronary artery disease in an academic nursing home

Background. We report the prevalence of use of aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, statins, and calcium channel blockers in older persons with coronary artery disease (CAD) in an academic nursing home. Methods. We investigated the prevalence of use of aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II type I receptor blockers, lipid-lowering drugs, and calcium channel blockers in older persons with a mean age of 77 9 years, in an academic nursing home with documented CAD and no contraindications to the use of aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, and lipid-lowering drugs. Results. CAD was documented in 77 of 255 persons (30%). Of 77 persons with CAD, 48 persona (62%) were treated with aspirin, 45 persons (58%) with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II type I receptor blockers, 44 persons (57%) with beta blockers, 21 persons (27%) with calcium channel blockers, and 16 person,, (21%) with statins. Of the 61 persons with CAD not treated with statins, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was measured in only 22 persons (36%) and was increased in 14 of the 22 persons (64%). Conclusions. These data show underutilization of aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors. lipid-lowering drugs. and measurement of serum LDL cholesterol and overutilization of calcium channel blockers in older persons with CAD in an academic nursing home.