Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and a common presentation in general practice. Scoring systems to guide antithrombotic treatment have been available since 1996, with the CHA2DS2-VASC in current use; however, little is known about adherence to guidelines in rural general practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients in a rural population and with documented history of AF are prescribed antithrombotic treatment according to recognised guidelines. A retrospective cohort study of inpatients was performed at a rural country hospital in South Australia. All patients with an ICD-10 CM code at the time of discharge were selected from June 2008 to July 2013. This included both newly diagnosed AF as well cases with existing history of AF. Among the 59 patients studied, 77% of patients received appropriate anticoagulation according to CHADS2 score and 83% according to CHA2DS2-VASC score. This study confirms that the guidelines are routinely followed in clinical practice in this rural population.
Highlights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and a common presentation in general practice
The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients in a rural population and with documented history of AF are prescribed antithrombotic treatment according to recognised guidelines
Among the 59 patients studied, 77% of patients received appropriate anticoagulation according to CHADS2 score and 83% according to CHA2DS2-VASC score
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and a common presentation in general practice. Scoring systems to guide antithrombotic treatment have been available since 1996, with the CHA2DS2-VASC in current use; little is known about adherence to guidelines in rural general practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients in a rural population and with documented history of AF are prescribed antithrombotic treatment according to recognised guidelines. All patients with an ICD-10 CM code at the time of discharge were selected from June 2008 to July 2013. This included both newly diagnosed AF as well cases with existing history of AF. Conclusions: This study confirms that the guidelines are routinely followed in clinical practice in this rural population
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