Table 1.
Observed Laboratory Testing of Potassium and Creatinine Levels Among Patients Initiating Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Therapy for Heart Failure
| Testing | Patients, No. (%) (N = 10,443) |
|---|---|
| Pre-initiation testing (120 days before drug initiation) | |
| Appropriate pre-initiation testinga | 9564 (91.6) |
| No pre-initiation testing | 879 (8.4) |
| Early post-initiation testing (1–10 days after drug initiation)b | |
| Appropriate early post-initiation testing | 1384 (13.3) |
| Any early post-initiation testing | 4661 (44.6) |
| No early post-initiation testing | 5782 (55.4) |
| Extended post-initiation testing (11–90 days after drug initiation)c | |
| Appropriate extended post-initiation testing | 3122 (29.9) |
| Any extended post-initiation testing | 8115 (77.7) |
| No post-initiation testing | 2328 (22.3) |
| All appropriate testing | 756 (7.2) |
| No pre- or post-initiation testing | 280 (2.7) |
a
Appropriate pre-initiation testing was defined by the presence of at least 1 laboratory claim (or hospitalization) within 120 days before drug initiation.
b
Appropriate early follow-up testing was defined by the presence of 2 laboratory claims (or hospitalizations, or 1 laboratory claim plus hospital discharge within 3 days before initial outpatient prescription fill) within 10 days after drug initiation.
c
Appropriate extended follow-up testing was defined by the presence of 3 laboratory claims (or hospitalizations) within 11 to 90 days after drug initiation.