Aims: Variations in the resources, stability and priorities of health care systems conceivably affect their capacity to implement health care reform and ensure an evidence based approach to health care. Such variation may partially account for differences in cardiovascular mortality rates between former communist states in Central Europe and Western European countries, but specific data on this subject is sparse. The aim of this study was to compare the presentation of stable angina to cardiology services in Poland vs. the United Kingdom, the management of the condition in relation to existing European guidelines and clinical outcome.
Methods and results: Data was collected as part of a prospective observational cohort study of stable angina in Europe. Information was recorded on referral patterns, clinical presentation and the use of pharmacological therapies, investigations, revascularisation and cardiovascular events during 1 year of follow up. A total of 571 patients with stable angina were enrolled in Poland and 319 in the UK. Patients presenting to cardiology services in Poland were less likely to be referred by a primary care physician, younger, and had more adverse clinical risk predictors at presentation. Non-invasive investigation and coronary angiography were performed less frequently in Poland, but waiting times for invasive assessment were shorter. European guidelines with regard to the use of evidence based secondary preventative medical therapy were applied widely by cardiologists in both countries. No differences were observed in rates of cardiovascular events.
Conclusions: The use of evidence based pharmacological therapy was equally high in both countries, but guidelines regarding investigation were less completely adhered to in Poland, where invasive assessment and subsequent management was prompt but only performed in a highly selected proportion of the population with stable angina.