Fawad Farooq, Muhammad Hashim, Muhammad Rahman Khalid, Musa Karim.
Risk of thromboembolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and adequacy of anticoagulation in high risk patients.
Pak Heart J Jan ;51(4):314-8.

Objective: To assess frequency of non-valvular AF, with high risk of thromboembolism and their adequacy of anticoagulation. Methodology: This study was conducted at National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease Karachi from 1st May to 30th September 2017, included patients with non-valvular AF. Patients were stratified according to thromboembolic risk on CHA2DS2VASc score with more than or equal to 2 as high risk. Information about different types of anticoagulant medications was obtained along with recent INR level. SPSS 19 was used for the analysis of data and t-test, and Chi-square tests were applied for the assessment and comparison of data. Two sided p<= 0.05was taken as criteria for statistical significance. Results: A total of 160 patient were studied,52.5% (84) were males, 85.6% (137)found to have CHA DS -VASc score 2 or above. Out of them 62.8% (86) were taking warfarin and 13.1% (18) were taking Novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). Out of those at high risk on warfarin only 20.9% (18), were adequately anticoagulated. Conclusion: In our study majority of patients with non-valvular AF were at higher risk of thromboembolism with inadequate anticoagulation. Strategies to improve anticoagulation are needed in this group.

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