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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Clinical correlation between effective anticoagulants and risk of stroke: are we using evidence-based strategies?
Ali R Rahimi1, Bobby Wrights, Hossein Akhondi
1Department of Internal Medicine Education, Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Avenue, Savannah, GA 31404 , USA.
Objectives:
Despite evidence supporting anticoagulant use in atrial fibrillation, this modality is not fully utilized.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of 297 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation between 1997 to 2000. 124 patients received warfarin and 166 did not; 91 patients suffered stroke.
Results:
Age (P = 0.232) and gender (P = 0.745) were not determinant factors for starting anticoagulation prophylaxis. Whites were more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy than blacks (P = 0.043). Cardiologists were 4.5 times more likely to prescribe warfarin than neurologists and internists (P = 0.035). Neurologists (P = 0.305) and internists (P = 0.770) had similar warfarin prescription patterns and often with patients experiencing the highest rates of stroke.
Conclusion:
Lack of a uniform pattern in anticoagulant administration, despite multiple guidelines, is disturbing. Continuous physician education and community awareness by local and federal medical agencies is essential and cost-effective.
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