An Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacist-led Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Ischemic Stroke

Study Summary

Clinical pharmacy specialists are in an ideal position to assist medical teams in the management of patients with ischemic stroke. Given their extensive and specialized knowledge regarding medication efficacy, safety, and cost-effective use as well as their ability to critically review, interpret and apply the results from clinical studies to patient care, clinical pharmacy specialists have the potential to have a significant impact on stroke care delivery. There are numerous opportunities for clinical pharmacy specialists to become more extensively involved in the delivery of care to these high-risk patients. However, to-date there are few studies demonstrating the impact of clinical pharmacy specialists on outcomes of patients with stroke Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) and the most common life-threatening neurologic disorder.1 Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and results in significant individual and societal financial burdens. In 2006, stroke accounted for 1 of every 18 deaths and ischemic stroke accounted for 87% of all strokes.1 In the U.S., out of the approximately 795,000 people who develop a stroke each year, approximately 185,000 (23%) are recurrent events.1 After the first year, the average annual risk for recurrent stroke is 4%.2 Patients who survive at least 30 days after a first-ever stroke, have an average annual risk of death of 9.1%, much of the risk due to nonstroke cardiovascular disease. Despite the evidence supporting the use of various therapeutic interventions within the ischemic stroke population, a significant proportion of patients continue to have uncontrolled risk factors and remain undertreated.26-30 A recent prospective study of more than 4933 high-risk patients reported that, as compared to patients with coronary artery disease, patients with cerebrovascular disease are undertreated and thus less likely to achieve blood pressure (45.3% vs. 57.3%; p\<0.001) and lipid (19.4% vs. 30

Primary Outcome

The outcome measures selected for the study are based on AHA/ASA guidelines for prevention of stroke in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.19,20 The surrogate measures to be evaluated are the "ABCs" which include Antiplatelet/antithrombotic therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol control, and Smoking cessation. These variables will be evaluated at various time points during the study in part to evaluate the CPCRS processes of care for attaining surrogate measures in

Interventions

• OTHER Placebo
• OTHER Intervention (CPCRS) Group