RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To assess both the indications of anti-thrombosis treatment in patients in our ambit with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and its observance in Primary Care. DESIGN: A descriptive, crossover, observational study of consecutive cases. SETTING: Third-level referral hospital in our Health District. PATIENTS: 132 adults first diagnosed with chronic atrial fibrillation between July 1st and December 31st 1996. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients' clinical records were used to assemble data on risk factors of embolism and counter-indications to prescribing antithrombosis treatment. A logistic regression model was performed to analyse the variables affecting the treatment at the time it was first given. 65 men (mean age 68.3) and 67 women (mean age 74.6) were included in the study. 87.9% of the patients had embolism risk factors; and 30.3% had at least one absolute or relative counter-indication to anti-coagulation. 79 patients had risk factors but no counter-indication, of whom 28% took anticoagulants, 39% had anti-aggregates prescribed and the remaining 33% received no anti-thrombosis treatment at all. Only 3 patients taking anticoagulants were referred to the Primary Care doctor. The regression model worked out signalled age under 75 and a previous embolism as factors associated with the indication and anticoagulants: We found no coherent regression model for the indication of anti-aggregates. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-thrombosis treatment is underused in Primary Care. An antecedent of an embolism is the most weight criterion for giving anticoagulants to patients. Age is shown to be the main reason for therapeutic reluctance to give anticoagulants to patients without counter-indications. There should be more patients being treated with anticoagulants in Primary Care.
