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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
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ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND STROKE PREVENTION PRACTICES IN PATIENTS WITH CANDIDACY FOR ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY

Ikram Ullah, Farooq Ahmad, Salman Ahmad

    Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC
    |January 2, 2016
    PubMed

    Insights

    Many atrial fibrillation patients at high risk for stroke are not receiving adequate anticoagulant therapy. This study highlights a gap in stroke prevention practices for these individuals.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Neurology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Atrial Fibrillation (AF) increases stroke risk due to left atrial thrombi.
    • Antithrombotic therapy, primarily Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), is recommended for AF patients.
    • This study assessed stroke prevention in local AF patients eligible for anticoagulation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate current stroke prevention strategies in patients with Atrial Fibrillation.
    • To identify the prevalence of appropriate anticoagulation use in high-risk AF patients.
    • To determine adherence to stroke prevention guidelines in a local population.

    Main Methods:

    • A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan.
    • Included patients with EKG-confirmed AF and a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2 or mitral stenosis.
    • Excluded patients with other indications for anticoagulation.

    Main Results:

    • 205 AF patients were studied; 72.7% were candidates for anticoagulation.
    • Only 27.5% received adequate anticoagulant therapy (VKAs or novel oral anticoagulants).
    • Most patients received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) instead of anticoagulation.

    Conclusions:

    • A significant proportion of high-risk AF patients are undertreated for stroke prevention.
    • Current stroke prevention practices for AF patients in this region are suboptimal.
    • There is a critical need to improve the initiation and management of antithrombotic therapy in AF.
    Abstract

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