title: Profile of atrial fibrillation inpatients: Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac rehabilitation programme delivery and referral patterns.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly common; however, the cardiovascular risk factor profile and the patterns of delivery and referral to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in this population are poorly described. We conducted an audit of medical records (n = 145) of patients admitted with AF in one local health district in Sydney, Australia. Patients were aged a mean 72 years, and 51% were male. Lack of risk factor documentation was common. Despite this, 65% had two or more modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension (63%) and hypercholesterolaemia (52%). Referral to Phase II CR occurred for 25% and was decreased with permanent AF diagnosis and increased with more risk factors. AF patients admitted to hospital have multiple cardiovascular risk factors but limited risk factor screening and/or referral to outpatient CR programmes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Ryde Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kellie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.affiliation: Manly Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.affiliation: Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Services, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belshaw
authors.affiliation: North Shore Cardiovascular Education Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirkness
authors.affiliation: Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neubeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001315:Australia; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: atrial fibrillation; cardiac rehabilitation; cardiovascular risk factors