Value of pacemaker atrial diagnostic data in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: an opportunity to improve rates of warfarin utilization.
Atrial diagnostic data within implantable devices provide an opportunity to assess the frequency and quantity of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes (AF burden) and its impact on appropriate warfarin anticoagulation. Cardiologists were given clinical scenarios to review with different types of pacemaker diagnostic data in an elderly patient with risk factors for stroke. AF specific data was associated with increased warfarin utilization, but only at intermediate rates. Potential reasons and clinical implications are discussed.
Kim
Michael H
MH
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. mpskmkkim@aol.com
Trohman
Richard G
RG
Christiansen
Sara
S
Harsch
Manya R
MR
Kinser
Ken
K
Reiter
Michael J
MJ
Pfeiffer
Julie
J
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin