Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Outpatient use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Allen LaPointe, NM; Governale, L; Watkins, J; Mulgund, J; Anstrom, KJ
Published in: Am Heart J
November 2007

BACKGROUND: The first clinical practice guidelines for management of atrial fibrillation (AF) were published in 2001. We explored the use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with AF during the 4 years surrounding publication of these guidelines. METHODS: Mentions of warfarin, beta-blockers, digoxin, diltiazem, verapamil, and all class I and class III antiarrhythmic drugs made by US office-based physicians during patient visits for AF between October 1999 and September 2003 were evaluated using the IMS Health National Disease and Therapeutic Index (Plymouth Meeting, PA). Medication use by patient age, sex, and physician specialty was explored. Trends in use during the study period were estimated. RESULTS: Warfarin was mentioned in an average of 37% of all AF-related visits across the observation period, with no statistically significant change over time. Digoxin was the most commonly mentioned rate-controlling drug in 23% of patient visits, followed by beta-blockers in 11% and calcium-channel blockers in 8%. Over the study period, mentions of digoxin significantly decreased, and mentions of beta-blockers significantly increased. Mentions of antiarrhythmic drugs were reported in an average of 12% of patient visits, with no significant change over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Observed trends in use of digoxin, beta-blockers, and class Ia antiarrhythmic drugs were consistent with evidence-based recommendations. However, only approximately one third of patient visits for AF included mentions of warfarin, even among patients aged > or = 60 years. These results indicate the need for continued education and interventions, especially regarding stroke prevention, in patients with AF.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am Heart J

DOI

EISSN

1097-6744

Publication Date

November 2007

Volume

154

Issue

5

Start / End Page

893 / 898

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Outpatients
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Heart Rate
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Cardiovascular System & Hematology
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Atrial Fibrillation
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Allen LaPointe, N. M., Governale, L., Watkins, J., Mulgund, J., & Anstrom, K. J. (2007). Outpatient use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation. Am Heart J, 154(5), 893–898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2007.06.035
Allen LaPointe, Nancy M., Laura Governale, Jerry Watkins, Jyotsna Mulgund, and Kevin J. Anstrom. “Outpatient use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation.Am Heart J 154, no. 5 (November 2007): 893–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2007.06.035.
Allen LaPointe NM, Governale L, Watkins J, Mulgund J, Anstrom KJ. Outpatient use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation. Am Heart J. 2007 Nov;154(5):893–8.
Allen LaPointe, Nancy M., et al. “Outpatient use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation.Am Heart J, vol. 154, no. 5, Nov. 2007, pp. 893–98. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2007.06.035.
Allen LaPointe NM, Governale L, Watkins J, Mulgund J, Anstrom KJ. Outpatient use of anticoagulants, rate-controlling drugs, and antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation. Am Heart J. 2007 Nov;154(5):893–898.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am Heart J

DOI

EISSN

1097-6744

Publication Date

November 2007

Volume

154

Issue

5

Start / End Page

893 / 898

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Outpatients
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Heart Rate
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Cardiovascular System & Hematology
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Atrial Fibrillation