19 May Oral Anticoagulants Still Underused in AFib Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Anna Gundlund, MD, PhD
Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, Department of Cardiology
Denmark
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Atrial fibrillation increases a person’s risk of ischemic strokes up to 5-fold. Oral anticoagulation therapy lowers this risk effectively (>60%) and is therefore recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation and at least 1-2 other risk factors for stroke.
Our study show, that oral anticoagulation therapy is still underused in patients with atrial fibrillation – even after a stroke event. In stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation therapy were associated with better outcomes than no oral anticoagulation therapy.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Oral anticoagulation therapy is effective (and safe) as secondary stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: Treatment rates with oral anticoagulation therapy have increased over time and we should keep on being aware that this tendency continues.
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Last Updated on May 19, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD