[The use of antithrombotic drugs in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation in a local health area].
BACKGROUND
The objective of the study is to assess the degree of ambulatory use of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) in a county health area.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, prospective survey carried out in patients admitted at a community-hospital, detected 44 patients with CAF.


RESULTS
The inappropriateness of anti-thrombotic therapy (48%) was associated with no having a previous echocardiography (p < 0.004), not being controlled in a hospital (p < 0.02) and in patients without information on the cardioembolic risks (p < 0.0007).


CONCLUSIONS
The antithrombotic prophylaxis is scarcely used in patients affected by CAF in the county health area studied.
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control