A Multi-Specialty Delphi Consensus on Assessing and Managing Cardiopulmonary Risk in Patients with COPD.

Background: In Canada, COPD represents a significant burden to the patient and health system, as it is often under or misdiagnosed and sub-optimally treated. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common co-morbidity in COPD and there is significant interplay between these two chronic conditions. Across all stages of COPD disease severity, deaths can be attributed not only to respiratory causes but also to cardiovascular-related factors.

Cardiovascular risk factor management in patients with diabetes: Does management differ with disease duration?

Aims: Our objective was to examine risk factor modification targets and treatment in relation to duration of diabetes.

Methods: The Diabetes Mellitus Status in Canada (DM-SCAN) study collected data on 5109 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 2012 in primary care. We compared the prevalence of vascular complications, treatment targets, and interventions between patients with diagnosed diabetes duration ≤10 and > 10 years.

Treatment Inertia in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Background We studied care gap in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with respect to lipid-lowering therapy. Methods and Results We enrolled patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or FH and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol >2.0 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use and dosing in Canadian practice: Insights from the optimising pharmacotherapy in the management approach to lowering risk in atrial fibrillation (OPTIMAL AF) Programme.

Aims: To estimate the rate of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) dosing that is lower- and higher-than-recommended and to describe the reasons for NOAC dose discordance with Health Canada prescribing information.

Methods: The OPTIMAL AF Programme was an observational cohort quality assessment initiative in which primary and specialty care physicians in eight provinces provided a snapshot of their anticoagulated non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients through either an electronic medical record (EMR) system or standardised, paper-based data collection methods.

Results: Data on 1681 NVAF patients receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention was provided by 102 physicians.

Does management of lipid lowering differ between specialists and primary care: Insights from GOAL Canada.

Background: We studied whether significant differences in care gaps exist between specialists and primary care physicians (PCPs).

Methods: GOAL Canada enrolled patients with CVD or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and LDL-C > 2.0 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy.

GOAL Canada: Physician Education and Support Can Improve Patient Management.

Background: Despite the widespread use of statins, approximately 40% to 50% of Canadian patients with known cardiovascular disease do not achieve the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal. uidelines riented pproach to ipid lowering (GOAL) is an investigator-initiated study aiming to ascertain the use of second- and third-line therapy and its impact on LDL-C goal achievement in a real-world setting.

Methods: GOAL enrolled patients with clinical vascular disease or familial hypercholesterolemia and LDL-C > 2.

Glycated Hemoglobin Level Goal Achievement in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Canada: Still Room for Improvement.

Objectives: To describe the clinical histories and management of adults with type 2 diabetes who were not reaching their target glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels and to identify barriers to achieving therapeutic goals.

Methods: Practice assessment surveys and practice audits were completed by 88 primary care physicians (PCPs) in the Diabetes Mellitus Assessment of Clinical managemenT In ONtario (DM-ACTION) program and by 56 diabetes specialists in the Diabetes Mellitus IMproving PAtient Care in our communiTies (DM-IMPACT) program. The DM-ACTION audit analyzed data from 1,173 adults with A1C levels ≥7.

Use of Evidence-Based Therapy for Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Canadian Outpatients With Atrial Fibrillation: From the Facilitating Review and Education to Optimize Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (FREEDOM AF) and Co-ordinated National Network to Engage Physicians in the Care and Treatment of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (CONNECT AF).

Using data collected from 2 national atrial fibrillation (AF) primary care physician chart audits (Facilitating Review and Education to Optimize Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation [FREEDOM AF] and Co-ordinated National Network to Engage Physicians in the Care and Treatment of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [CONNECT AF]), we evaluated the frequency of, and factors associated with, the use of cardiovascular (CV) evidence-based therapies in Canadian AF outpatients with at least 1 CV risk factor or co-morbidity. Of the 11,264 patients enrolled, 9,495 (84.3%) were eligible for one or more CV evidence-based therapies.

Insights Into the Current Management of Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in the Ontario Primary Care Setting.

Objective: The Goal Oriented controL of Diabetes in the Elderly populatioN (GOLDEN) Program assessed the management of older persons with type 2 diabetes in Canadian primary care.

Methods: Data were extracted from the records of 833 consecutively identified persons 65 years of age or older who had type 2 diabetes and were taking 1 antihyperglycemic agent or more; they were managed by 64 physicians from 36 Ontario clinics.

Results: More than half (53%) had glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels of 7.

The Risk Stratification and Stroke Prevention Therapy Care Gap in Canadian Atrial Fibrillation Patients.

Background: Canadian atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines recommend that all AF patients be risk stratified with respect to stroke and bleeding, and that most should receive antithrombotic therapy.

Methods: As part of the Canadian Facilitating Review and Education to Optimize Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (FREEDOM AF) chart audit, data were collected on 4670 patients ≥ 18 years old without significant valvular heart disease from the primary care practices of 474 physicians (February to September, 2011).

Results: Physicians did not provide an estimate of stroke and bleeding risk in 15% and 25% of patients, respectively.

Risk stratification and stroke prevention therapy care gaps in Canadian atrial fibrillation patients (from the Co-ordinated National Network to Engage Physicians in the Care and Treatment of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation chart audit).

The objectives of this national chart audit (January to June 2013) of 6,346 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF; ≥18 years without a significant heart valve disorder) from 647 primary care physicians were to (1) describe the frequency of stroke and bleed risk assessments in patients with nonvalvular AF by primary care physicians, including the accuracy of these assessments relative to established predictive indexes; (2) outline contemporary methods of anticoagulation used; and (3) report the time in the therapeutic range among patients prescribed warfarin. An annual stroke risk assessment was not undertaken in 15% and estimated without a formal risk tool in 33%; agreement with CHADS2 score estimation was seen in 87% of patients. Major bleeding risk assessment was not undertaken in 25% and estimated without a formal risk tool in 47%; agreement with HAS-BLED score estimation was observed in 64% with physician overestimation in 26% of patients.

Discordance between physicians' estimation of patient cardiovascular risk and use of evidence-based medical therapy.

Despite clinical trial evidence supporting the use of antiplatelets, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins for cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk patients, use of such therapies in real-world outpatients in the prospective Vascular Protection Registry and the Guidelines Oriented Approach to Lipid Lowering Registry was suboptimal (78%, 55%, and 75%, respectively). The most frequent reason physicians cited for nonprescription of statins (33%) was that patients were not high risk enough and/or current guidelines did not support statin use. In conclusion, outpatients at high cardiovascular risk continue to be undertreated as a result of a combination of physician underestimation of cardiovascular risk (knowledge gap) and barriers to implementation of evidence-based therapy (practice gap).

Missed opportunities for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in Canada.

Background: Strong evidence supports the use of antithrombotic agents (antiplatelets or oral anticoagulants), statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; beta-blockers are additionally indicated in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objectives: The investigators sought to determine the extent to which guideline-recommended treatments and target goals are adopted in ambulatory patients with cardiovascular disease in Canada.

Methods: Two large, prospective, community-based registries (the Vascular Protection Registry and the Guideline Oriented Approach to Lipid Lowering Registry) enrolled 9809 outpatients with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors from primary care settings in nine provinces across Canada between 2001 and 2004.

Supporting a call to action for peripheral artery disease: insights from two prospective clinical registries.

Background: Patients affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) incur a heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular mortality. We examined risk factors, medications, and prognosis of outpatients with PAD enrolled in two national, prospective, practice-based Canadian registries that encompassed 484 physician practices: the Vascular Protection and Guideline Oriented Approach in Lipid Lowering registries.

Methods: The 2 registries were combined to analyze 9810 patients with vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or age 65 years or older plus at least 2 additional cardiovascular risk factors.