Role of Clinical Pharmacists in the Cardiology Ward

The provision of healthcare to cardiology patients requires a multidisciplinary team, including a clinical pharmacist as a member, to ensure optimal medication management. In this chapter, the benefits and challenges of the presence of a clinical pharmacist as a team member in cardiology care are briefly presented from a general perspective. In addition, medication management and input of clinical pharmacists in the most common cardiovascular conditions (i.e., acute coronary syndrome, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation) are reviewed. The most prominent outcomes of the clinical pharmacists’ interventions are reduced drug-related problems, increased medication adherence, improved healthcare outcomes such as reduced blood pressure levels, and prevention of hospital readmissions. Also, leading cardiology guidelines as means of evidence-based pharmaceutical care are listed. Overall, this chapter aims to emphasize the importance of incorporating clinical pharmacists in cardiology healthcare teams to provide comprehensive care for patients.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, Atrial fibrillation, Clinical pharmacist, Cardiology, Cardiovascular disease, Drug-related problems, Hypertension, Heart failure, Medication adherence, Medication therapy management, Pulmonary hypertension, Pharmacotherapy.