OBJECTIVES:

Describe, from the physicians’ perspective, the main barriers for achieving low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals in post myocardial infarction (MI) patients in Europe.

METHODS:

A web‑based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 360 cardiologists and general practitioners (GP) from 6 European countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK), describing their perspectives when treating post‑MI patients.

RESULTS:

Of 360 physicians surveyed, 64.7% were cardiologists and 35.3% were GPs. Poor adherence to lipid‑lowering therapies (LLT), adverse events of LLT, and lack of patient education about LDL-C and lifestyle changes were named among the most important barriers for achieving LDL-C goals in post-MI patients. Poor adherence to LLT was most often considered as the main barrier by physicians in Germany (45.0%), the UK (40.0%), and Spain (30.0%). Physicians most often considered adverse events of LLT as the main barrier in France (38.3%) and the Netherlands (65.0%). Finally, 38.3% of physicians in Italy considered lack of education about LDL-C and lifestyle changes as the most important barrier. In the UK, 55.0% of GPs were dissatisfied by the information received from cardiologists regarding lipid management. Future lipid management plans were commonly reported missing, with 75.0% of GPs in the UK stating they would like to see these plans in discharge summaries. GPs in France (41.4%) and in the UK (65.0%) most often reported they would like to see frequency of follow-up or review visits in the discharge summary. LLT sequence and LDL-C goal achievement were also frequently reported lacking by GPs in the 6 countries surveyed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Measures addressing adherence to LLT and ensuring GPs receive relevant guidance on lipid management plans from cardiologists may improve LDL-C goal achievement and cardiovascular outcomes in post-MI patients in Europe.