Is there a Failure to Optimize theRapy in anGina pEcToris (FORGET) study?

Background: In the management of chronic stable angina, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provides symptomatic relief of angina rather than improvement of prognosis. Current guidelines recommend optimization of medical therapy prior to elective PCI. It is not clear if these guidelines are adhered to in clinical practice. Aim: The aim of this multi-centre study was to determine the extent to which these treatment guidelines are being implemented in the UK. Design: This was a multi-centre study involving six hospitals in the UK. Methods: The medical treatment and extent of risk factor modification was recorded for consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI for chronic stable angina at each site. Data collected included antianginal drug therapy, lipid levels and blood pressure (BP). Data on heart rate (HR) control were also collected, since this represents a fundamental part of medical anti-anginal therapy. Target HR is 70 b.p.m., 40% had a resting HR between 60 and 69 b.p.m. and 26% had a resting HR between 50 and 59 b.p.m. The resting HR was not related to the dose of beta-blocker.