The European Primary Care Cardiovascular Society (EPCCS) exists to inform, support and interact with general practitioners (GPs) across Europe in relation to cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes. The EPCCS provides an interactive and expanding website at www.epccs.eu with news, comments, information, meeting reports and slide presentations.
Insulin in type 2 diabetes – a growing role for primary care
Today, many people with type 2 diabetes who need insulin have their insulin initiated in primary care. Here we discuss NICE recommendations for initiation and management of insulin, and the different types of insulin and delivery systems.
A local strategy to improve outcomes for TIA and stroke
We describe here a project that sets out to reduce the risk of stroke in patients suspected of having a transient ischaemic attack.
Out of the shadows: attitudes and beliefs of primary care practitioners about depression after myocardial infarction
After myocardial infarction (MI) half of all patients will experience an episode of depression. We carried out the first survey of GP and primary care nurse attitudes and beliefs about depression in post-MI patients. Our sample was drawn from readers of two major cardiovascular journals: a total of 813 GPs and nurses responded. Primary care practitioners underestimated the prevalence of depression which is two and a half times more common in post-MI patients than estimated. Diagnosing depression was viewed as complex by both groups but much more so by nurses. Compared to nurses GPs had a much better understanding of the signs and symptoms of depression and were more confident in using depression screening tools. General acknowledgement of the negative impact that depression can have on outcomes was reported by the majority of participants. The practice of depression-trained professionals was more positive compared with those who had no recent education. If primary care practitioners address the epidemic of depression in post-MI patients, outcomes will be dramatically improved and lives could be saved.
Liraglutide in type 2 diabetes: new recommendations from NICE
The most effective means of reducing the risk of complications associated with type 2 diabetes is to ensure that each patient achieves and maintains their individualised glycaemic target. New guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) providesrecommendations on using liraglutide (Victoza), a new option for patients who do not achieve target HbA1c using currently available therapies.
“Time is brain” – thrombolysis in acute stroke
“Time is brain” – thrombolysis in acute stroke – Mark Garside, Christopher PriceStroke is a common condition with long-term consequences. If symptoms are recognised early enough and patients are transported rapidly to hospital then there is the opportunity to administer treatments which may reduce long-term disability. We summarise the role of intravenous thrombolysis in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke, including supporting evidence, how it is used in clinical practice, and possible future developments.
Heart rate control in heart failure and angina, and its benefits
In heart failure, heart rate control may improve mortality and the need for hospitalisation. In angina, heart rate control improves symptoms and reduces the need for PCI
Once-weekly exenatide: a new therapeutic option for glucose lowering
The evidence for, and usefulness of, once-weekly exenatide (Bydureon) are discussed in this review. It may be initiated in primary care since it has effects on glucose lowering and global cardiometabolic risk
Validating heart failure registers in primary care: a way to higher QOF payments and better outcomes
We hypothesised that practice heart failure registers may not be complete or robust due to patients not always being allocated the correct READ codes. We set up a project which improved practice heart failure registers. Ensuring practices have robust registers, by improving clinical coding in general practice, means more accurate prevalence levels can inform planning and commissioning of heart failure services.
Thrombolysis for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke
Obstacles to anticoagulant therapy in people with atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest arrhythmia in the community. The lifetime risk of developing AF is one in six, rising steeply with age over 50 years. People with AF have six times the risk of having a stroke and twice the risk of death compared to those with sinus rhythm.
Management of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy
Between 0.2 and 4% of all pregnancies in western industrialised countries are complicated by cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the number of patients who develop cardiac problems during pregnancy is increasing. Knowledge of the risks associated with CVD during pregnancy and their management is of pivotal importance for advising patients before pregnancy.
