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Stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation: what can we do about it?

Naunton, M (2007). Stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation: what can we do about it?. European Heart Journal (English Edition),28(9):1172-1173.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Scopus Citation Count Cited 0 times in Scopus Article

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Title Stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation: what can we do about it?
Author Naunton, M
Journal Name European Heart Journal (English Edition)
Publication Date 2007
Volume Number 28
Issue Number 9
ISSN 0195-668X   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-34548295399
Start Page 1172
End Page 1173
Total Pages 2
Place of Publication United Kingdom
Publisher Oxford University Press
HERDC Category C2 - Journal Article - Other contributions to refereed journal (internal)
Abstract Friberg et al.1 have shown clearly, like others, that many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) do not receive stroke prophylaxis. In their summary, they note that it is ‘urgent to increase awareness of the need for adequate stroke prophylaxis in AF patients’. I would like to highlight to the readers that there has been research conducted in Tasmania, Australia on an intervention which aimed to increase warfarin use in those at risk of stroke. Jackson et al.2 mailed guidelines, which were developed in consultation with local specialists, to 272 general practitioners and then approximately 60% of these were visited to discuss the guidelines. Jackson et al. showed that this form of ‘academic detailing’ was effective at increasing warfarin use in the intervention area compared with a control region (P < 0.001), which did not receive the guidelines and academic detailing. Furthermore, hospital admission data (in the intervention area) collected before and after the intervention showed a significant increase in the use of warfarin in patients at high risk of stroke (33 vs. 46% of eligible patients; P < 0.05). It appears from the study by Friberg et al. that educating cardiologists is not the main priority. Since patients spend most of their time out of hospital it seems logical to me that educating and disseminating guidelines to general practitioners should be of high priority.
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehm057   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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