Abstract
People diagnosed with dementia are often started on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). As AChEIs can be associated with cardiac side-effects, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is sometimes requested before treatment. Previous work has suggested there is little consensus as to when or how ECGs should be obtained. This can create inconsistent practice, with patient safety, economic and practical repercussions. We surveyed 305 UK memory clinic practitioners about prescribing practice. More than 84% of respondents completed a pulse and cardiac history before prescribing AChEIs. Opinion was divided as to who should fund and conduct ECGs. It was believed that obtaining an ECG causes patients inconvenience and delays treatment. Despite regularly interpreting ECGs, 76% of respondents did not update this clinical skill regularly. The variation in practice observed has service-level and patient implications and raises potential patient safety concerns. Implementing national guidelines or seeking novel ways of conducting cardiac monitoring could help standardise practice.
Highlights
In the UK they are most commonly commenced in memory clinics
We conducted a national web-based survey open to all UK-based clinicians working in memory clinics
A total of 305 healthcare professionals working in UK memory clinics responded to the survey
Summary
A total of 305 healthcare professionals working in UK memory clinics responded to the survey. Of respondents who only conducted ECGs on selected patients, 69% (n = 127 of 185) were of the opinion that their practice was correct, 23% (n = 42) believed it was clinically useful to obtain an ECG on all patients and 16 respondents did not answer this question. Of those who indicated that they never perform an ECG before prescribing AChEIs (n = 12), 4 were of the opinion that an ECG was indicated in all patients and the remaining 8 were of the opinion that it was not. Of the 244 respondents, 8% were very comfortable, 36% fairly comfortable, 30% neither comfortable or uncomfortable, 17% fairly uncomfortable and 10% indicated that they would not attempt to interpret results
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
