Myocardial Infarction Quality Measures
The left ventricle is the part of the heart that holds and
pumps blood to other vital organs. A measure called the left ventricular ejection
fraction or LVEF is used to check for damage due to heart attacks and other
conditions. The LVEF value for a person with no heart damage is usually around
60 percent or greater. Systolic dysfunction (condition that causes reduced pumping
ability of the heart's left lower ventricle) represents reduced pumping ability
of the heart.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACEI) inhibitors are a group
of medications that relax blood vessels and make it easier for the heart muscle
to pump blood to vital organs. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are a similar
group of medications, and both are recommended by the Joint
Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as important tools for reducing
mortality in heart attack survivors who have left ventricular systolic dysfunction
(LVSD).
A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association
Council on Clinical Cardiology Research indicates those heart attack survivors
who have LVEF systolic dysfunction should be placed on an angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). This medication
reduces the chance of death and reduces disease symptoms after a heart attack.
(Circulation,
May 24, 2005: 111 (20); 2699-2710)
In
2006,
100 percent of eligible heart attack survivors at St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center received a discharge prescription for an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) medication (two groups of medications that relax blood vessels).