Quality standard

Quality statement 6: Statins for secondary prevention

Quality statement 6: Statins for secondary prevention

Quality statement

Adults with newly diagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD) are offered atorvastatin 80 mg.

Rationale

High‑intensity statins are the most clinically effective option for the secondary prevention of CVD – that is, reducing the risk of future CVD events in people who have already had a CVD event, such as a heart attack or stroke. Evidence shows that atorvastatin 80 mg is the most cost‑effective high‑intensity statin for the secondary prevention of CVD, which can improve clinical outcomes.

Quality measures

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that adults with newly diagnosed CVD are offered atorvastatin 80 mg.

Data source: Local data collection.

Process

Proportion of adults with newly diagnosed CVD who are prescribed atorvastatin 80 mg.

Numerator – the number in the denominator prescribed atorvastatin 80 mg.

Denominator – the number of adults with newly diagnosed CVD.

Data source: Local data collection.

What the quality statement means for service providers, healthcare professionals, and commissioners

Service providers (primary care and secondary care) ensure that adults with newly diagnosed CVD are offered atorvastatin 80 mg.

Healthcare professionals offer atorvastatin 80 mg to adults with newly diagnosed CVD.

Commissioners (NHS England area teams and clinical commissioning groups) ensure that adults with newly diagnosed CVD are offered atorvastatin 80 mg. Commissioners may do this by seeking evidence of practice through clinical audits.

What the quality statement means for patients, service users and carers

Adults who have been newly diagnosed with CVD are offered a statin called atorvastatin to help reduce their chances of further problems, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Source guidance

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Atorvastatin 80 mg

At the time of publication (September 2015) atorvastatin did not have a UK marketing authorisation for secondary prevention of CVD. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision. Informed consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical Council's Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices for further information.