Prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a key issue for the health care community. However, studies show that identifying patients with AF who are at risk of stroke and the effective use of anticoagulants to prevent stroke pose challenges.1 This activity reviews risk stratification and the role of anticoagulant therapy versus antiplatelet therapy to prevent stroke in patients with AF.
Warfarin has long been the mainstay of anticoagulation therapy. In this activity, the faculty provide practical advice on optimizing warfarin therapy and improving patient adherence. In 2010, the first anticoagulant to serve as a viable alternative to warfarin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; other new anticoagulants are in the pipeline. New options for anticoagulation therapy promise advantages such as fixed dosing, no need for blood level monitoring, and significantly fewer drug and food interactions. These new agents and their evolving therapeutic role are also discussed in this activity.
Lip GY, Watson T. Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation -- things can only get better. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2007;64:575-7.
Activity 1: Thromboprophylaxis in Atrial Fibrillation: Current Issues and Challenges
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, family physicians will be better able to:
- Demonstrate increased awareness of the range of assessment tools and evidence-based guidelines available to aid thrombotic risk stratification in AF and incorporate this knowledge into practice.
- Describe the role of antithrombotic therapy in AF patients at risk of stroke and be aware of the implications of underprescribing.
- Describe the safety and efficacy profile of the currently available antithrombotic therapies, including issues surrounding patient selection.
- Describe the approach to dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring for antithrombotic therapy in AF patients at risk of stroke based on evidence-based guidelines and incorporate this knowledge into practice.
- Outline strategies for risk reduction in challenging patient populations and incorporate this knowledge into practice.
- Describe emerging antithrombotic therapies and other new developments on the prevention of stroke in AF, including issues surrounding patient selection and monitoring.
Accessing the Activity
LearningLink is hosted by AAFP's technology partner MedEdArchitects. To access the activities (and to allow us to track learner progress through the program), you will need a LearningLink account. The only information required is your name, email address, and member status. Create a LearningLink account.
Begin Activity
Begin Activity
Acknowledgment of Support
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
