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. 2013 Apr 5;30(5):284–289. [Article in Spanish] doi: 10.1016/S0212-6567(02)79029-X

Tratamiento anticoagulante oral en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular

Oral anti-coagulation treatment in patients with non-valvular auricular fibrillation

E Arrojo Arias a,*, G Mora Navarro b, A Abón Santos c, MS Araujo Luis a, C Capdevila Gallego a, MJ Gutiérrez Torres a
PMCID: PMC7684248  PMID: 12372209

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and difficulties of family doctors in the indication of oral anti-coagulation treatment (OCT) in patients with nonvalvular auricular fibrillation (NVAF).

Design

Transversal descriptive study.

Setting

Area 11 of Madrid primary care

Participants

250 doctors by simple randomised sampling.

Main measurements. After a pilot study at a health centre, mailing of a questionnaire with a subsequent re-mailing. This collected social and personal details, knowledge of the question, attitudes and difficulties.

Results

157 (62.8%) replied; 91 were women (58.0%); mean age was 39 (SD, 6.0). 97 had reviewed the question recently (61.8%). 110 thought that the anti-aggregation criteria were clear (70.1%; CI, 62.2–77.0%), 107 that the oral anticoagulation criteria were (68.2%; CI, 60.2–75.2%), 132 that the OCT risks were (84.1%; CI, 77.2–89.2%), and 74 that risk factors of cerebrovascular accident were clear (47.1%; CI, 39.2–55.2%). Initially 96 doctors gave anti-aggregants and referred to cardiology (61.1%; CI, 53.0–68.7%), and 29 began OCT (18.5%; CI, 12.9–25.6%). 134 thought that we avoided initiating OCT (85.3%; CI, 78.6–90.3%), giving as the main reasons the difficulty of monitoring and of requesting further tests, the risks involved and OCT not being up-to-date. Conclusions. Most professionals have the criteria for OCT in NVAF clear, although they continue to avoid the initiation of OCT. The majority approach is to give anti-aggregants and refer to Cardiology, given the risk of the therapy and the difficulties involved in monitoring and requesting further tests.

Key words: Auricular fibrillation, Oral anticoagulants, Risk factors, Primary care, Scientific evidence, Cerebrovascular accident

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