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Evaluating Utilization Of Beta -Blockers As Secondary Prevention For Post Myocardial Infarction In A Medicaid Population, Ancilla W. Fernandes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high mortality and costs to the US healthcare system. Beta-blockers are known to reduce mortality and re-infarction rates when used for long-term prevention following an AMI. They are recommended by the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines in post-AMI patients. However, this therapy is both underused (error of omission in eligible patients) and misused (error of commission in ineligible patients). This study involved two phases. Phase one included evaluating utilization of beta-blockers in a Medicaid population and determining the effect of their utilization on patient outcomes such as mortality, morbidity, …