Details:

Alternative Title:
Prev Chronic Dis
Personal Author:
Bajorek, Beata V. ; Magin, Parker J. ; Hilmer, Sarah N. ; Krass, Ines
Bajorek, Beata V. ; Magin, Parker J. ; Hilmer, Sarah N. ; Krass, Ines Less -
Description:
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.


Subjects:
[+]
Aged Aged, 80 And Over Anticoagulants Atrial Fibrillation Female General Practice Humans Logistic Models Male Multivariate Analysis Patient Selection Practice Patterns, Physicians' Prospective Studies Risk Assessment Risk Factors Stroke Treatment Outcome Warfarin
Source:
Prev Chronic Dis. 13.
Pubmed ID:
27418212
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4951074
Document Type:
Journal Article
Place as Subject:
New South Wales, Australia
Collection(s):
Preventing Chronic Disease
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:77d31cc3eb7b149ec36ecb778c2bc0c69bbea0ee8e5d6bb54efc5ca21cb02dc7
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/40765/cdc_40765_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

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