The state of pharmacotherapy in the Czech Republic in 1998 was analysed in a group of 548 patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. 83.0% of the group were treated by antiplatelet drugs, mostly ASA (with the most frequent dose being 100 mg). 7.3% of the patients were treated by anticoagulation treatment. Beta-blocking agents were used in 56.9% of the group (most frequently metoprolol and atenolol). The optimal dose of metoprolol, 100 mg b.i.d., was used in only 12.4% of the patients treated by metoprolol. Older patients and patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction were treated significantly less frequently than younger patients or patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction. ACE inhibitors were used in 52.2% of the patients. The optimal daily target dosages of captopril 100-150 mg were used in only 6% of patients treated by captopril. The optimal target daily dosages of enalapril were used in only 35.1% of patients treated by enalapril. 65% of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction were treated by ACE inhibitors. Calcium-channel blockers were used in 24.6% of the patients. However, in 20.1% of patients treated by calcium-channel blockers, shortacting or inadequately retarded nifedipine was used. 69.8% of the patients had total cholesterol values higher than 5.2 mmol/l, 18.1% higher than 6.2 mmol/l and 13.5% of patients had total cholesterol values higher than 7.0 mmol/l. 34.3% of the group were treated by hypolipidemic drugs (most frequently fenofibrate). Statins were used by 45.5% of patients treated by hypolipidemic drugs. When compared to our analysis of pharmacologic treatment in patients after myocardial infarction, performed in 1995, ACE inhibitors and hypolipidemic treatment are used more frequently. However, in spite of this improvement, only about 15% of patients with CHD are treated by statins. Furthermore, 35% of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to CHD are not treated by ACE inhibitors. Elderly patients with CHD and diabetes mellitus or patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to CHD are less frequently treated than younger patients or those with normal left ventricular systolic function despite the fact that patients at highest risk benefit most from treatment with beta-blocking agents. Also unsatisfactory is the use of not retarded or inadequately retarded nifedipine although data show its use may increase total mortality in CHD patients. By contrast, use of antiplatelet therapy is satisfactory.

Keywords: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Czech Republic; Diabetes Complications; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia /complications/