Evaluation of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for the Reduction of Stroke and Systemic Embolism in Hospitalized Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Hospital Pharmacy

Abstract

Background: Guidelines recommend antithrombotic therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism (SSE) based on an assessment utilizing the CHA2DS2-VASc score. However, a treatment gap exists regarding patients at risk for thromboembolic events. Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) to reduce the risk of SSE in patients with NVAF upon hospital discharge. Methods: This retrospective review evaluated patients admitted to a community hospital with NVAF in 2016. All patients were included except for the following: < 18 years of age, concomitant valvular heart disease, expired during hospitalization, or discharged on hospice care. Descriptive statistics were reported for all parameters. Results: A total of 2739 patients with NVAF were included with 59.9% discharged on GDMT to reduce the risk of SSE. A 1% increase in GDMT at discharge was observed in patients admitted with a history of NVAF (n = 2238; 60.1% vs 61.1%). Patients with first-detected NVAF (n = 501) were discharged on GDMT 54.5% of the time. In patients with a high stroke risk, concomitant heart failure (P =.001) and a lower HAS-BLED score (mean = 2.85 vs 3.18; P <.0001) were associated with receiving GDMT upon discharge. However, patients with increased age (mean = 78.5 vs 76.4; P <.0001), vascular disease (P =.02), prior major bleeding (P <.0001), or first-detected NVAF (P <.0001) were less likely to be discharged on GDMT. Conclusions: Consistent with published registry data, a gap was observed in the use of GDMT to reduce the risk of SSE in patients with NVAF at this institution. Further investigation into methods for improvement is warranted.

First Page

26

Last Page

31

DOI

10.1177/0018578719851721

Publication Date

2-1-2021

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