UTILIZATION AND DOSING OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-INHIBITORS FOR HEART-FAILURE - EFFECT OF PHYSICIAN SPECIALTY AND PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS

To determine if physician specialty is associated with underutilizatio n and underdosing of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors among pa tients with heart failure, we reviewed the charts of 214 outpatients w ith decreased systolic function at an urban academic medical center. R egardless of whether patients were cared for by cardiologists, general ist physicians, or a combination of the two specialties, approximately 75% of the patients were taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhi bitor, However, only approximately 60% of these patients were taking d osages proved to be efficacious in trials. Emphasis on adequate dosing is needed among all specialty groups.