1. CHD-related catheterization
A. Epidemiology Update
CHD-related catheterization
Content Points:
There are an estimated 12,900,000 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in this country.1
The symptomatic manifestations of this disease-myocardial infarction (MI) and angina-afflict 7,600,000 and 6,600,000 individuals, respectively.
In 2000, CHD accounted for 1,318,000 diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures, making it the most common cardiovascular inpatient procedure in the United States.
1 American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2003 Update. Dallas, Tex: American Heart Association; 2002.

2. Global variation in hospital management of ACS Content Points:
The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) study found marked geographic variations in antithrombotic and interventional strategies for management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).1
Use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors is relatively higher in the United States compared with other geographic regions. In contrast, use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is much lower compared with other regions.
As shown herein, data support an expanded role for LMWH in ACS in the United States, particularly in the setting of PCI.
1 Fox KAA, Goodman SG, Klein W, Brieger D, Steg PG, Dabbous O, Avezum A. Management of acute coronary syndromes. Variations in practice and outcome. Findings from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE). Eur Heart J. 2002;23: