A Network to Control Risk Factors After Acute Coronary Syndrome

1. Objectives

2. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of "Resicard Prevention", which is a structured health network within a House of Education located outside of the hospital and based on outpatients' visits.

3. Another purpose is to facilitate and optimize physicians and all health members communication around the acute coronary syndrome patients.

4. Method

• After randomization, patients are directed to one of the two following groups: the conventional network group or the structured network group. Six and twelve months after their hospitalization, a blood test will be performed and their weight, blood pressure, waist measurement and cardiac frequency will be recorded in order to monitor patients' cardiovascular risk factors.In any case, patients receive optimal care with the participation of different health members (such as nurses, doctors, dietician...).

a-The conventional network group

• Patients are taken care of, according to good medical practice by their usual general practitioner and cardiologist. The frequency of consultations is set up according to symptoms. The follow up of patients is optimized as they are taken care of by a multidisciplinary health team.

b-The structured network group

• Patients in this group will have to consult their general practitioner and cardiologist within the first month after their hospitalization. Two forms summarizing their hospitalization facts and the objectives of the risk factors correction will be electronically sent to their general practitioner, to their cardiologist and to the House of Education. Patients have appointments at the House of Education where a multidisciplinary team (with a nurse, a dietician,...) welcomes them. They set up a schedule according to patients' needs:
• consultation for nicotinic weaning
• some dietary advice in order to lose weight
• some specific advice on diabetes and/or hypercholesteremia
• information about high blood pressure
• some advice to pursue a regular physical activity After each appointment at the House of Education, a form summarizing the risk factors will be provided electronically to patients' general practitioner and cardiologist.

3. Conclusion -This evaluation protocol should demonstrate the efficiency of a health network based on the correction of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors within a House of Education in secondary prevention after an acute coronary syndrome.