Percentage of CABG Patients with Statin Prescribed at Discharge

From Q2 2005 to Q2 2006, 90% of CABG patients discharged from Strong Memorial Hospital were given a prescription for a statin and/or other antihyperlipidemic medication.

According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association practice guidelines for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, "all patients undergoing CABG should receive statin therapy unless otherwise contraindicated" (Circulation, August 31, 2004: 110(9); 1168-1176). (Note: Statin therapy is treatment with a particular type of medication called a "statin," used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.)

In addition, most patients who begin taking medication to lower blood lipid (a type of fatty substance) levels when discharged from the hospital after a CABG procedure continue to take the medication and are followed up in the primary care setting (American Journal of Critical Care, September 2004: 13(5); 411-415).