Prescriptive appropriateness in primary cardiovascular prevention: data from our hospital

Abstract Background The main cause of waste health resources is represented by overuse diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Given its high prevalence the importance identifying hypertensive-mediated organ damage, management patients with arterial hypertension can lead to a lack appropriateness. aim this study was evaluate prescriptive appropriateness non-invasive tests (Echocardiography, Carotid ultrasound, ECG exercise testing, 24h Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) in outpatients referring an ambulatory primary cardiovascular prevention. Methods 559 specialistic visits were retrospectively analysed every prescription evaluated. An integration different Italian European guidelines used define Moreover, we evaluated correlation between prescriptions, clinical characteristics population. Results During analysed, 449 prescriptions made, including 198 echocardiographies, 148 carotid 85 ABPM 18 testing. global percentage appropriate 40.3%. Focusing on each test, rate 49.4% ABPM, 43.9% echocardiography, 38.9% testing 30.4% ultrasound. A significant identified age risk category echocardiography duration presence valvular heart disease. Conclusions Our shows relevant inappropriate cardiologic exams; moreover, there might be greater young low patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main source(s): Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy