Assessment of Prescribing Pattern of Cardiovascular Drugs: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality, with 17.9 million deaths reported in 2019. Varied prescribing patterns of cardiovascular drugs among healthcare providers impact patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for rational drug use. Understanding these patterns is crucial for improving prescribing quality and medication safety. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Navodaya Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Raichur, Karnataka, spanning three months. Data from 82 cardiovascular patients were collected through consecutive sampling. The study assessed patient demographics, distribution of cardiovascular emergencies, drug prescriptions, and clinical outcomes. Prescribing indicators, including drug utilization trends, were analyzed to gauge the appropriateness of cardiovascular drug prescriptions. Results: Common cardiovascular emergencies included Myocardial Infarction (36.58%) and Unstable Angina (50%). Female patients represented a substantial portion across emergency categories (64.63%). Key drugs prescribed included Clopidogrel + Aspirin (80.49%), Aspirin (loading dose) (72%), and Atorvastatin (70%). Patient outcomes revealed high improvement rates for Myocardial Infarction (83.9%) and Unstable Angina (85%), with notable mortality. WHO prescribing indicators highlighted a 3.73 ± 1.1 average drugs per encounter, 40% generic drug prescriptions, and adherence to 75.89% of Essential Drug List recommendations. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into cardiovascular drug prescribing patterns in a specific healthcare setting. While Myocardial Infarction and Unstable Angina predominate, a mortality rate underscores the complexity of cardiovascular emergency management. Gender-specific considerations and adherence to essential drugs are notable findings. Future research should target factors influencing mortality, aiming to optimize cardiovascular emergency care on a broader scale.