OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current statin use among high-risk patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in Chinese large hospitals. METHODS: Clinical history and current medication were recorded in 11 783 patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) from 39 highest-ranking hospitals in 10 Chinese cities. RESULTS: Indication for statin use was given for all screened patients and statin was not prescribed in up to 59.6% (7022) patients. For patients with statin use, medication time was shorter than their atherosclerotic CVD history in 1120 (23.5%) patients. The proportion of statin use among patients with ischemic stroke was 19.6%, among patients with coronary heart disease without ischemic stroke was 59.2%. CONCLUSION: Statin is underused in secondary prevention among patients with atherosclerotic CVD in China. There is a large gap between guideline recommended statin use and in practice. Thus, it remains a major challenge for healthcare professionals and policy makers to resolve this problem rapidly.
