Annals of emergency medicine
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Stroke Prophylaxis in Atrial Fibrillation: Searching for Management Improvement Opportunities in the Emergency Department: The HERMES-AF Study.
We determine the prevalence of stroke prophylaxis prescription in emergency department (ED) patients with atrial fibrillation and the factors associated with a lack of prescription of anticoagulation in high-risk patients without contraindications. ⋯ In Spain, most patients with atrial fibrillation treated in EDs who do not receive anticoagulation are at high risk of stroke, with relevant differences with regard to the risk stratification scheme used. Anticoagulation is underused, mainly because the risk of stroke is underestimated by the treating physicians and the benefits of antiplatelets are overrated, principally in female patients and the elderly. Efforts to increase the prescription of anticoagulation in these patients appear warranted.