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Utilization and dosing of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for heart failure

Effect of physician specialty and patient characteristics

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Abstract

To determine if physician specialty is associated with underutilization and underdosing of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors among patients with heart failure, we reviewed the charts of 214 outpatients with decreased systolic function at an urban academic medical center. Regardless of whether patients were cared for by cardiologists, generalist physicians, or a combination of the two specialties, approximately 75% of the patients were taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. However, only approximately 60% of these patients were taking dosages proved to be efficacious in trials. Emphasis on adequate dosing is needed among all specialty groups.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. John C. Wang MD

    Present address: Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of General Internal Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 6098, 60637, Chicago, IL

    Marshall H. Chin MD, MPH & James X. Žhang MS

  2. Section of Cardiology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 6098, 60637, Chicago, IL

    Roberto M. Lang MD

  3. Department of Medicine; Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 6098, 60637, Chicago, IL

    John C. Wang MD

Authors
  1. Marshall H. Chin MD, MPH
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  2. John C. Wang MD
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  3. James X. Žhang MS
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  4. Roberto M. Lang MD
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Additional information

Funded by a grant-in-aid from the American Heart Association of Metropolitan Chicago and a University of Chicago Home Health Care Grant. Dr. Chin is supported by National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging Geriatric Academic Program Award 5-K12-AG-00488.

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Chin, M.H., Wang, J.C., Žhang, J.X. et al. Utilization and dosing of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for heart failure. J GEN INTERN MED 12, 563–566 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.1997.07110.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.1997.07110.x

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