Calcium Channel Blockers and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors for Hypertension in a Multimarket Managed Care Organization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypertensive population being treated with calcium channel blockers and based on patients' demographics, blood pressure controls, and comorbid disease state, determine whether they may be more effectively treated with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. DESIGN: Retrospective medical chart review using a standardized data collection form. Patients who had received a calcium channel blocker prescription for the month of May 1997 were selected randomly from the insured population of CIGNA HealthCare of Florida. Chart review and analysis were conducted by experienced clinical monitors from Total Therapeutic Management, Inc., a pharmacy utilization and disease management company. SETTING: CIGNA HealthCare of Florida, a mixed model, multimarket health maintenance organization in Florida. PATIENTS: The random sample consisted of 320 patients of the 4,155 patients who received a calcium channel blocker during May 1997. MAIN OUTCOME: Appropriateness of calcium channel blocker...