[Characteristics of oral anti-coagulation treatment in high-risk chronic auricular fibrillation].
OBJECTIVE
To calculate the prevalence of chronic auricular fibrillation (CAF), how much of it is considered high-risk (CAFhr) and the degree of coverage with oral anti-coagulation treatment (OAT).


METHODS
Multi-centre descriptive study.


METHODS
9 health districts. The "Terres de l'Ebre" Primary Care Service.


METHODS
Randomised sample of 375 patients with CAF, of whom 150 met the criteria of CAFh-r during 2002.


METHODS
Profile of patients with CAFh-r; coverage with OAT; place of follow-up; presence of vascular complications, and the time relationships between the diagnosis of CAF, vascular complications and the start of OAT. All the INR determinations taken from the patients included in the study were used.


RESULTS
There was 2.2% prevalence of CAF (95% CI, 1.4-3.3). 40% of CAF had criteria of CAFh-r. 74.2% were treated with OAT. In 41.7% the diagnosis of CAF coincided with the incidence of some vascular complication. There were no differences between the overall results of the INR obtained in hospital and in PC. The expected efficacy of OAT for thromboembolism prevention in our high-risk sample was 61.12%.


CONCLUSIONS
40% of the CAF are high-risk. In over a third of patients OAT was indicated after a vascular complication linked to an unknown CAF. The INR between 2-3 is similar in PC centres and the corresponding haematology service.
Clua Espuny
J L
JL
Tortosa 1 Est, Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain. jlclua.tarte.ics@gencat.net
Dalmau Llorca
M R
MR
Aguilar Martín
C
C
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin