Optimizing Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of a Computerized Antithrombotic Risk Assessment Tool in Australian General Practice, 2012-2013.
Prev Chronic Dis
; 13: E90, 2016 07 14.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27418212
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Clinicians have expressed a need for tools to assist in selecting treatments for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a computerized antithrombotic risk assessment tool (CARAT) on general practitioners' prescribing of antithrombotics for patients with atrial fibrillation.METHODS:
A prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 4 regions (in rural and urban settings) of general practice in New South Wales, Australia (January 2012-June 2013). General practitioner practices were assigned to an intervention arm (CARAT) or control arm (usual care). Antithrombotic therapy prescribing was assessed before and after application of CARAT.RESULTS:
Overall, the antithrombotic therapies for 393 patients were reviewed by 48 general practitioners; we found no significant baseline differences in use of antithrombotics between the control arm and intervention arm. Compared with control patients, intervention patients (n = 206) were 3.1 times more likely to be recommended warfarin therapy (over any other treatment option; P < .001) and 2.8 times more likely to be recommended any anticoagulant (in preference to antiplatelet; P = .02). General practitioners agreed with most (75.2%) CARAT recommendations; CARAT recommended that 75 (36.4%) patients change therapy. After application of CARAT, the proportion of patients receiving any antithrombotic therapy was unchanged from baseline (99.0%); however, anticoagulant use increased slightly (from 89.3% to 92.2%), and antiplatelet use decreased (from 9.7% to 6.8%).CONCLUSION:
Tools such as CARAT can assist clinicians in selecting antithrombotic therapies, particularly in upgrading patients from antiplatelets to anticoagulants. However, the introduction of novel oral anticoagulants has complicated the decision-making process, and tools must evolve to weigh the risks and benefits of these new therapy options.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Fibrilação Atrial
/
Varfarina
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Acidente Vascular Cerebral
/
Anticoagulantes
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Prev Chronic Dis
Assunto da revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália