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Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation : we can do better
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Kearney, M., Fay, M. and Fitzmaurice, David (2016) Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation : we can do better. British Journal of General Practice, 66 (643). pp. 62-63. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X683557
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X683557
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular and often rapid cardiac rhythm, is the most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia. Prothrombotic changes in the atrium encourage local clot formation with potential for embolisation to the cerebral circulation, conferring a fivefold increase in risk of stroke. It is estimated that one in five strokes, and one in three over the age of 80 years, are directly attributable to AF. Strokes that are due to AF also have a much worse outcome, with significantly higher mortality rates and greater long-term disability. At the same time we have very effective preventive treatments, with anticoagulants reducing the risk of ischaemic stroke by around 70%. Reflecting this, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)1 and European consensus2 guidance recommends that we offer structured risk assessment followed by anticoagulation for people identified as at high risk. This pathway of diagnosis, assessment, and management does not generally require specialist input and should be regarded as essential primary care. So how well are we doing and could we do better?
| Item Type: | Journal Item | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisions: | Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Clinical Trials Unit Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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| Journal or Publication Title: | British Journal of General Practice | ||||
| Publisher: | Royal College of General Practitioners | ||||
| ISSN: | 0960-1643 | ||||
| Official Date: | 27 January 2016 | ||||
| Dates: |
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| Volume: | 66 | ||||
| Number: | 643 | ||||
| Page Range: | pp. 62-63 | ||||
| DOI: | 10.3399/bjgp16X683557 | ||||
| Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
| Publication Status: | Published | ||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Open Access |
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