ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
Key words Anticoagulants
;
Atrial fibrillation
;
Ace nocoumarol
;
Aspirin; drug utilization,
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the results of clinical trials on the prophylactic treatment of non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation with oral anticoagulants. Methods: Retrospectively, we studied a random sample of 375 patients discharged from our hospital with a diagnosis of non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation between 1991 and 1993. Information about diagnoses, other clinical variables and treatments prescribed at discharge was obtained from the hospital medical records. Results: During the whole study period, 14% of patients were prescribed an oral anticoagulant agent and 17% were prescribed acetylsalicylic acid. A non-significant increase in the proportion of patients prescribed oral anticoagulant drugs, from 9% to 17%, was observed. Multivariate analysis showed that a history of stroke (OR = 5.96) and younger age were significantly associated with the prescription of oral anticoagulants. ASA prescription was strongly associated with a history of concomitant vascular disease (OR = 5.8), but not with other risk factors for stroke. Sixty-five percent of patients had one or more risk factors for stroke, did not present any contraindications to anticoagulant agents, but nevertheless were not prescribed one of these drugs. Conclusions: Anticoagulant agents and acetylsalicylic acid were largely underprescribed to patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation, and oral anticoagulants were not prescribed according to the individual patients' risk of stroke.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002280050328
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