coronary heart disease medication (ppt 2mb)

Coronary Heart Disease Coronary Heart Disease MedicationMedication

Robert HallworthRobert Hallworth

Chair – Greater Manchester Chair – Greater Manchester Non-Medical Prescribing Non-Medical Prescribing

NetworkNetworkOldham Primary Care Trust

CHD - so who do we mean and CHD - so who do we mean and what should we look at?what should we look at?

• Established - post MI, CABG, ischaemic stroke / TIA, angina, AF, PVD

• Heart failure• Hypertension• (Diabetes)• Raised cholesterol, obesity, smokers• Intervention + review based on current status,

risk factors, existing treatment • Targets in the GMS contract

CaseCase

It is a busy day in your practice and you It is a busy day in your practice and you are sitting at your desk, legs up, leafing are sitting at your desk, legs up, leafing through a recent issue of through a recent issue of Diversion, The Diversion, The Magazine for Physicians at LeisureMagazine for Physicians at Leisure. You . You come across an ad for Plavix,come across an ad for Plavix,TMTM which which states that this medication reduces the states that this medication reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by 9% risk of cardiovascular events by 9% compared to aspirin. You wonder if you compared to aspirin. You wonder if you should be switching all your patients to should be switching all your patients to Plavix. Plavix. TMTM

–Offer statin therapy for adults who have a 20% or greater 10-year risk of developing CVD

–Initiate treatment with simvastatin 40 mg–If simvastatin 40 mg is contraindicated, offer a

lower dose or alternative preparation (such as pravastatin)

–A target for total or LDL cholesterol is not

recommended

Primary prevention:Primary prevention: statin therapy [NICE 2008]statin therapy [NICE 2008]

– Offer statin therapy to adults with clinical evidence of CVD

– Offer higher intensity statin to people with acute coronary syndrome, taking into account:

- the patient’s informed preference- comorbidities - multiple drug therapy, and - the benefits and risks of treatment

Secondary prevention: Secondary prevention: statin therapy [NICE 2008]statin therapy [NICE 2008]

– Treatment should be initiated with simvastatin 40 mg

– If simvastatin 40 mg is contraindicated, offer a lower dose or alternative preparation (such as pravastatin)

– If total cholesterol of < 4 mmol/litre or LDL

cholesterol of < 2 mmol/litre is not attained consider simvastatin 80 mg (or similar)

Secondary prevention: Secondary prevention: statin therapy statin therapy continuedcontinued

Targets for PCT AdvisersTargets for PCT Advisers

• Better Care Better Value– Statins – Generic Prescribing

• National Audit Office– Proton Pump Inhibitors– ACE inhibitors / Angiotensin 2 Receptor Antagonists– Antiplatelets

• Other important cost areas– Drugs used in diabetes– Respiratory corticosteroids– Analgesics– Hypertension and Heart Failure

What is our approach for primary and secondary prevention?

Will this differ based on the age of our patient?

Will this differ if our patient has diabetes?

A recent meta-analysisA recent meta-analysisCholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) CollaboratorsCholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaborators

Lancet 2005; 366: 1267-1278.Lancet 2005; 366: 1267-1278.

• Statin therapy reduces the relative risk of major events by one fifth (20%) for every 1mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol (but is there really a linear relationship?).

• This is largely irrespective of the initial lipid profile or other presenting characteristics.

• The absolute benefit relates chiefly to an individual's absolute risk of such events and to the absolute reduction in LDL cholesterol achieved.

• Statins at established doses (e.g. simvastatin 40mg) can reduce LDL cholesterol by at least 1·5mmol/L in many patients, and hence would be expected to reduce the incidence of major vascular events by about one third.

• The possibility that higher doses would result in clinically relevant adverse effects cannot be excluded.

Summary of High-Dose POO Summary of High-Dose POO StudiesStudies

• A-Z study (JAMA 2004; 292: 1307-1316) – simvastatin 80mg vs. no statin/20mg simvastatin after AMI: No significant benefit, problem with harms on higher dose – myopathy and rhabdomyolysis

• PROVE-IT (N Engl J Med 2004; 350: 1495-1504) – atorvastatin 80mg vs. pravastatin 40mg post ACS: Significant benefit not much harm seen

• TNT (N Engl J Med 2005; 352: 1425-1435) – atorvastatin 80mg vs. atorvastatin 10mg in stable CHD (but who responded well to atorvastatin in the “run-in”): Significant benefit but also significant harm

• IDEAL (JAMA 2005; 294: 2437-2445) – atorvastin 80mg vs. simvastatin 20mg in stable CHD: No significant benefit, some harm

• SPARCL (N Engl J Med 2006; 355: 549-559) – atorvastatin 80mg vs. placebo in stroke/TIA: Significant benefit, some harm

• Phase Z of the A to Z trial showed no difference in event rates between simvastatin 40mg od for 1 month followed by 80mg od compared to placebo for 4 months followed by simvastatin 20mg od. There were 3 cases of rhabdomyolysis in patients receiving 80mg simvastatin.

• PROVE-IT compared pravastatin 40mg to atorvastatin 80mg. The primary endpoint was time to first of death, MI, re-hospitalisation for UA, revascularisation or stroke. 22.4% of patients in the atorvastatin arm had these events at 2 years compared to 26.3% in the pravastatin group.

• IDEAL showed no difference in the primary endpoint of time to first coronary death, MI or resuscitated cardiac arrest between simvastatin or atorvastatin

Use a statin in patients with ACSde Lemos JA, et al. JAMA 2004; 292: 130716

Cannon CP, et al. N Engl J Med 2004; 350: 1495504Pedersen TR, et al. JAMA 2005; 294: 243745

StatinsStatins

• Baseline– Serum cholesterol, LFTs, CK, U&Es (rosuvastatin), TFT

• Routine– Cholesterol

• Every 12 months– CK

• Within 1-3 months & when cholesterol checked, after dose increase or when given with a fibrate

– LFTs• Within 1-3 months, then at 6 and 12 months or if

hepatotoxicity suspected (greater risk with higher doses – rosuvastatin 40mg / simvastatin 80mg)

Discontinuing statinsDiscontinuing statins

• Serum transaminases at 3 x upper limit of normal

• Beware higher doses

• If myopathy occurs (daily discomfort)

• CK > 5 x upper limit of normal

• Liver disease is likely to be obstructive

Cholesterol measurements in Cholesterol measurements in the first few years of statin the first few years of statin

treatment may misleadtreatment may mislead• Galsziou P et al. Monitoring cholesterol

levels: measurement error or true change? Ann Intern Med 2008; 148: 656-61– Health professionals should be wary of

increasing a patient’s lipid-lowering treatment on the basis of a single cholesterol test if they are reasonably confident that the patient is taking the medication as prescribed.

OTC SimvastatinOTC Simvastatin

• Is an initial cholesterol test needed?

• How often do LFTs and CK need monitoring?

HPS suggests:

Up to 40mg simvastatin adverse effects = placebo

SEAS and ezetimibe: no SEAS and ezetimibe: no benefits on CV endpoints, benefits on CV endpoints,

questions raised over cancer questions raised over cancer riskrisk

• Rossebo AB et al for the SEAS Investigators. Intensive lipid lowering with simvastatin and ezetimibe in aortic stenosis. N Engl J Med 2008; 359– It would seem sensible to use ezetimibe only with

caution as there is no published evidence of its benefit on clinically important outcomes such as cardiovascular events and its long-term safety is unknown

FibratesFibrates

• Baseline – serum cholesterol, LFTs, CK• Routine – cholesterol (every 12 months),

LFTs (every 3 months for 1 year), FBC (gemfibrozil every 3 months for 1 year)

• DISCONTINUE:– Serum transaminase ≥ 3 x ULN– Myopathy symptoms or CK > 10 x ULN

OmacorOmacor

• Licensed for hypertriglyceridaemia (high dose) and secondary prevention of MI (low dose).

• Main data comes from Gissi-Prevenzione trial

• Is this representative of UK patients?

HypertensionHypertension

NICE CG 54 - HypertensionNICE CG 54 - Hypertension

• Offer drug therapy to patients with:• persistent high blood pressure of 160/100

mmHg or more• persistent blood pressure above 140/90

mmHg and raised cardiovascular risk (10-year risk of cardiovascular disease of at least 20%, existing cardiovascular disease or target organ damage).

• Aim to reduce blood pressure to 140/90 mmHg or less, adding more drugs as needed, until further treatment is inappropriate or declined.

ALLHAT (JAMA 2002)ALLHAT (JAMA 2002)

• “The key message from ALLHAT is that what matters most is getting blood pressure controlled, and that this is overwhelmingly more important than the means. Combinations of several drugs will be required for most patients, and such an antihypertensive treatment cocktail should include a thiazide diuretic”

The Moral of the TaleThe Moral of the Tale

• As long as we reach the objective (130/80), it doesn’t matter how we get there

Comparing InterventionsComparing Interventions(Clinical Evidence)(Clinical Evidence)

• Primary prevention, to prevent CHD / CHD death:– Tight BP control NNT 14– Tight BG control NNT 46– Tight BG control, metformin NNT 16– Statin NNT 27– Aspirin NNT 16-39– Ramipril NNT 22

Hypertension in Diabetes [NICE Hypertension in Diabetes [NICE 2008]2008]

• First choice antihypertensive drug is a once-daily ACE inhibitor

• (Plus a diuretic and / or calcium channel blocker in people whose blood pressure is not controlled to target on monotherapy)

• A calcium channel blocker is recommended for women who may become pregnant

ARBs as effective as ACE inhibitors ARBs as effective as ACE inhibitors in CV risk reduction? – Jury still outin CV risk reduction? – Jury still out

• The TRANSCEND study reinforces the importance of only prescribing ARBs as an alternative to ACE inhibitors where there is clear intolerance to ACE inhibitors.– Lancet 2008; 372: 1172-83.

Angina - Treatment OptionsAngina - Treatment Options

• Immediate relief of symptoms– GTN

• Long-term prevention of symptoms– Beta-blocker– Calcium channel

blocker– Nitrate– Potassium channel

activator

Combination therapyCombination therapy

• With a maximal dose beta-blocker add– Long acting dihydropyridine– ISMN or nicorandil

• If a beta-blocker is contra-indicated use:– CCB – add ISMN or nicorandil– Nitrate – add CCB or nicorandil

• There is no evidence that a third drug improves symptom control

Adverse EffectsAdverse Effects

• Antiplatelets

• Beta-blockers

• Calcium-channel blockers

• Nitrates

• Nicorandil

Myocardial Infarction [NICE Myocardial Infarction [NICE CG43 May 2007]CG43 May 2007]

• Give low dose aspirin (75mg daily) – clopidogrel if allergy (NSTEMI / STEMI)

• Give beta-blockers – ALL patients EARLY for at least 2-3 years

• Give ACE inhibitors – ALL patients EARLY • Provide advice and treatment to control BP • Give statins of low acquisition cost ASAP to

reduce cholesterol to target• Tackle other risks such as blood glucose

levels, smoking, physical activity, diet and weight

Are the risk reductions relative Are the risk reductions relative or absolute?or absolute?

Dead Alive

Therapy 8 92 100

Placebo 12 88 100

Dead Alive

Therapy 8 92 100

Placebo 12 88 100

Risk (Rx) = 8/100 = 8%Risk (Rx) = 8/100 = 8%Risk (Pl) = 12/100 =12%Risk (Pl) = 12/100 =12%

Dead Alive

Therapy 8 92 100

Placebo 12 88 100

Relative Risk(RR) = Risk (Rx)/ Risk (Pl) = .08/.12 = Relative Risk(RR) = Risk (Rx)/ Risk (Pl) = .08/.12 = .67.67

Relative Risk Reduction (RRR) = 1 - RR = 1- .67 = Relative Risk Reduction (RRR) = 1 - RR = 1- .67 = .33 or 33% .33 or 33%

Dead Alive

Therapy 8 92 100

Placebo 12 88 100

Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) = Risk (Pl) - Risk Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) = Risk (Pl) - Risk (Rx) = .12 - .08 = .04 or 4%(Rx) = .12 - .08 = .04 or 4%

Number Needed to Number Needed to Treat (NNT):Treat (NNT):

NNT = 1/ARRNNT = 1/ARR

Number of patients needed Number of patients needed to treat to prevent one to treat to prevent one outcomeoutcome

NNT = 1/ARRNNT = 1/ARR

ARR = 4%ARR = 4%NNT = 1/.04 = 25NNT = 1/.04 = 25

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute?

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute?

Relative.

Absolute = 0.9%

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative

• Is the result statistically significant?

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute?

• Is the result statistically significant?

Yes, marginally.

P = .045 95% CI (0.3% to 16.5%)

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative

• Is the result statistically significant? Yes

• Is the result clinically significant?

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative

• Is the result statistically significant? Yes

• Is the result clinically significant?

NoNNT = 1/ARR =1/.009 =111 95%CI (57 - 2500)

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative

• Is the result statistically significant? Yes• Is the result clinically significant? No• Does the size of the effect shown equal

the size of the effect in the data?

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative

• Is the result statistically significant? Yes

• Is the result clinically significant? No

• Does the size of the effect shown equal the size of the effect in the data? No

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative

• Is the result statistically significant? Yes• Is the result clinically significant? No• Does the size of the effect shown equal

the size of the effect in the data? No• Are the references "real?”

Check-listCheck-list

• Are the risks relative or absolute? Relative• Is the result statistically significant? Yes• Is the result clinically significant? No• Does the size of the effect shown equal the size of

the effect in the data? No• Are the references "real?”

Yes, the “CAPRIE” study, The Lancet, Vol. 348, November 16,1996.

Aspirin ineffective for primary Aspirin ineffective for primary prevention in patients with diabetesprevention in patients with diabetes

• Belch J et al. the prevention of the progression of arterial disease and diabetes (POPADAD) trial. BMJ 2008; 337: a1840– This trial found aspirin was ineffective for

the primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with diabetes and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (a risk factor for CV disease).

Heart failure – treatmentHeart failure – treatmentNICE 2003NICE 2003

ACE inhibitor dosageACE inhibitor dosageNICE 2003NICE 2003

Licensed ACEI (with large outcome RCT)

Starting dose Target dose

Captopril 6.25mg tid 50–100mg tid

Enalapril 2.5mg bd 10–20mg bd

Lisinopril 2.5–5.0mg od 30–35mg od

Ramipril 2.5mg od 5mg bd or 10mg od

Initiation in Heart FailureInitiation in Heart Failure

• 1. Withhold diuretics• 2. Initiate in the evening

(or morning and monitor BP)

• 3. Start with low dose & build up to recommended or highest tolerated

• 4. Stop if RF deteriorates

• 5. Avoid K-sparing diuretics & NSAIDs

• 6. What to do if BP falls• 7. What to do if cough

occurs• 8. Rarely necessary to

stop treatment – beware clinical deterioration

ACEI & A2A monitoringACEI & A2A monitoring

• Baseline:– BP, RF (urea / creatinine), electrolytes

(especially K)

• Routine:– BP, RF, electrolytes (especially K)

• - 1 week after initiation• - 1 week after dose increase• - thereafter annually

Modifying / Stopping ACEIs & Modifying / Stopping ACEIs & A2AsA2As

Serum creatinine increase by ≥ 50% or to 200μmol/l – halve dose

Stop if : Serum potassium 6mmol/l or more

Or: Creatinine increase by >

100%

Or: Creatinine > 350µmol/l

Using beta-blockersUsing beta-blockersNICE 2003NICE 2003

Starting dose

Target dose

Bisoprolol 1.25mg od 10mg od

Carvedilol 3.125mg bd 25 – 50mg bd

Beta blockers in Heart FailureBeta blockers in Heart Failure

• 1. Should be on a background ACEI

• 2. Start low dose and titrate up to maintenance

• 3. Double dose every 2 weeks

• 4. Monitor heart rate, BP (U&Es every 1-2 weeks and 1-2 weeks after final dose reached)

• 5. Worsening HF, hypotension and bradycardia can occur during titration

• 6. Adjust treatment, but consider dose increase when patient stable

• 7. Don’t stop suddenly – rebound myocardial ischaemia and arrhythmia

Place of ARBs in HF therapyPlace of ARBs in HF therapy

• If truly ACEI intolerent – ARB should be used (NICE)• Adding ARB in addition to ACEI gains little. In Val-Heft it was

harmful in people on ACEI and -blocker.• And may increase drop out due to side effects Pfeffer MA, et

al. NEJM 2003• CHARM-Added showed some benefits but increased harms

(in an RCT where ACEIs were said to be optimised but were low compared with UK targets)

• Adding ARB in diastolic failure not beneficial (most already on ACEI) CHARM-Preserved

Using spironolactoneUsing spironolactoneNICE 2003NICE 2003

• Dose 12.5–25mg daily (50mg only by specialist and no potassium problems)

• Check U&E at 1, 4, 8 & 12 weeks; 6, 9 & 12 months; 6 monthly thereafter

Oral Anticoagulants - UsesOral Anticoagulants - Uses

• Deep vein thrombosis / pulmonary embolism

• Atrial fibrillation

• Prosthetic heart valves

WarfarinWarfarin

• Baseline– PT & APTT– Platelet count and LFT (if possible)

• Routine– INR weekly until stable (daily for rapid

anticoagulation)– At intervals up to maximum of 3 months– Increase frequency if response likely to change (liver

disease, illness, drug interaction)

Do you record doses and INRs ?

INRsINRs

• INR 2 – 2.5 (DVT prophylaxis)

• INR 2.5 (treatment of DVT & PE, AF, cardioversion, dilated cardiomyopathy, mural thrombus post-MI, rheumatic valve disease)

• INR 3.5 (recurrent DVT & PE, prosthetic heart valves)

Warfarin / Diet InteractionsWarfarin / Diet Interactions

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

• Fish oils

• Avocado

• Green vegetables

• Chromium

• Coenzyme Q10

• Cranberry juice

• Ice cream

• Soya bean products

New PatientsNew Patients

• Loading doses– Consider thrombophilia screening– Standard 10mg for 2 days (reduced in some

patient groups)– Slow induction (AF) 2 or 3mg daily

• Maintenance doses 3 – 9mg

New PatientsNew Patients

• LMWH – Clexane– If patient discharged and INR less than 2.0

continue heparin until 2 consecutive readings above 2.0.

– Consider restarting heparin if INR ever falls significantly below 2.0.

– Treatment dose Clexane 1.5mg/kg/day.

INR monitoring and dose INR monitoring and dose adjustmentadjustment

• Initially daily then increase frequency to a maximum of 8 week intervals for stable patients.

• INR reflect dose 48 hours ago.

• Same dose each day where possible.

• Avoid halving tablets.

Fluctuating INRsFluctuating INRs

• Don’t overreact!• Look for obvious causes.• Raised INR.

– E.g. diarrhoea,exacerbation of HF, LF, hyperthroidism, weight loss, alcohol (acute), overdose, drug interactions.

– Omit ≥ 1doses as appropriate– Usually only change maintenance dose if 2nd episode

of raised INR– Consider checking LFTs if 3rd episode

Fluctuating INRsFluctuating INRs

• Reduced INRs– E.g. hypothyroidism,diet (Vitamin K), weight

gain, missed doses, drug interactions, poor compliance

– Booster dose, double maintenance dose– Usually only change maintenance dose on 2nd

episode

Overanticoagulation- Patients at Overanticoagulation- Patients at risk of bleedingrisk of bleeding

• Age over 75 years• History of uncontrolled hypertension• Liver disease, increased alcohol intake• Poor drug compliance or clinic attendance• Bleeding lesions especially GI• Bleeding tendency (inc coagulation defects,

thrombocytopenia) or concomitant NSAIDs• New patients, INRs greater than 4.0

Overanticoagulation - Overanticoagulation - ManagementManagement

• See BNF for details• Avoid use of vitamin K in valve replacements• Vitamin K may be used orally• For partial reversal give 0.5 – 2mg orally• Deranged clotting factors for several days with

high doses• Control of haemorrhage using vitamin k

1 – 3 hours IV4 – 6 hours oralINR change lags 12 – 24 hours

Discontinuing TreatmentDiscontinuing Treatment

• Stop treatment abruptly – no need to tail off• Baseline blood test after six weeks• Counsel regarding future high risk situations:

– Operations, prolonged bedrest– Pregnancy – Long distance travel

• Patient Information sheet

Dental TreatmentDental Treatment

• Dental treatment – continue as long as INR ≤ 4.0. Check blood ≤ 72 hours before treatment.

AmiodaroneAmiodarone

AmiodaroneAmiodarone

• Antiarrhythmic – secondary care initiation

• Beware interactions with warfarin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin

Amiodarone - monitoringAmiodarone - monitoring

• Baseline:– LFTs, TFTs (TSH, T3, T4)– Chest x-ray, lung function (BNF)– Serum K and ECG (SPC)

• Routine:– TFTs

• Every 6 months and for some months after discontinuation (possibly 12 months)

• Hyperthyroidism – discontinue (often refractory). Hypothyroidism – weigh risk / benefit (can use thyroxine)

Amiodarone – monitoring 2Amiodarone – monitoring 2

• Routine– LFTs

• Every 6 months– Initial rise in serum transaminases usually resolves within 6

months (may need dose decrease)– Increase after more than 6 months treatment or hepatomegaly

indicates chronic liver disease

– Eye examination• Every 12 months

– Recommended by SPC to detect corneal microdeposits. These are untreatable and reversible

– Beware optic neuritis and neuropathy

Amiodarone – monitoring 3Amiodarone – monitoring 3

• Routine– Chest x-ray and lung function tests

• If toxicity suspected• Observe for dyspnoea, cough, pleuritic pain• Aim to prevent pneumonitis (which can be fatal)

– Periodic ECGs– Neurological symptoms– Use of sunscreens

DigoxinDigoxin

• Baseline– Serum creatinine (TFTs, K)

• Routine– If on diuretic monitor K periodically (<4mmol/l give K-

sparing diuretic)– Digoxin level (only if toxicity suspected or 1 week after

adding or stopping interacting drug)• Discontinue if toxicity (usually >3ng/ml)• Also check potassium if toxicity suspected

Frequency of and risk factors for Frequency of and risk factors for preventable medication-related hospital preventable medication-related hospital

admissionsadmissions

• Leendertse AJ et al. Arch Intern Med. 2008; 168: 1890-1896– Medicines most frequently associated with the

potentially preventable admissions included those affecting blood coagulation, NSAIDs, and antidiabetic drugs, with a total of 509 medication errors being identified in the 332 potentially preventable medicines-related admissions.

Questions?Questions?

Thank youThank you

Robert.Hallworth@nhs.netRobert.Hallworth@nhs.net