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Updated: Nov 2, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Treated with preventive anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation: The patients' perspective
Karin Olsson1, Åsa Hörnsten2, Karin Hellström Ängerud2
1Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences of preventive anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation.
Design:
This was a descriptive qualitative study based on interviews.
Methods:
Individual interviews with 15 patients, 6 women and 9 men, treated with preventive oral anticoagulant due to atrial fibrillation, were conducted. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Based on the analysis, the theme Managing a necessary evil emerged. The theme comprised the three categories: Coping with anxiety and changes in daily life, Having confidence in care and Being a partner or only a receiver of treatment. Patients described it like being faced with a situation where a treatment perceived as vital was weighed against undesirable consequences and risks. Patients trusted caregivers and had confidence in care, but there was a risk of being a receiver of care instead of becoming a partner.
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