title: Atrial fibrillation in a general hospital: how well are we doing?
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for ischaemic stroke, and anticoagulation is now indicated in many patients, particularly those with congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, a history of transient ischaemic attacks or embolic stroke. In a retrospective study (and audit), we examined 280 cases of AF (acute, paroxysmal non-sustained and chronic sustained) admitted to a general hospital in the UK. The commonest underlying medical condition was ischaemic heart disease (57%), while the commonest presenting feature was congestive cardiac failure (60%). Pharmacological cardioversion was preferred against electrical cardioversion for reverting to sinus rhythm. Fifty-six patients (20%) received warfarin, 55 patients (20%) were on aspirin, and the remaining 169 (60%) received neither warfarin nor aspirin. More awareness is needed among physicians managing AF particularly in relation to anticoagulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Rossendale General Hospital, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography