[Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: thromboembolic risk assessment and therapy in a general practice population]

Abstract

Background: Cardiologists may prescribe antithrombotic therapy to patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but prescription application mostly depends on general practitioners. The present study aims to assess frequency and appropriateness of antithrombotic therapy in general practice, as a function of thromboembolic risk factors, using the CHADS2 score.

Methods: The computer records of 39 general practitioners were evaluated in order to identify patients with non-valvular AF; therapy and thromboembolic risk factors were recorded.

Results: AF was documented in 951 patients; 96 (10.1%) had contraindications to oral anticoagulants. Among the remaining 850 patients, 292 (34.4%) did not receive antithrombotic therapy according to guidelines. In particular, 102 (12.0%) did not receive any antithrombotic treatment.

Conclusions: Among general practitioners of the Veneto region (Italy), the application of guidelines on antithrombotic therapy in non-valvular AF is comparable, or even slightly better than that reported in published cohort studies, but it deserves further improvement. There is a need for targeted educational interventions and a better coordination between cardiologists and general practitioners.