scholarly journals Patient Knowledge about Oral Anticoagulation Therapy Assessed during an Intermediate Medication Review in Swiss Community Pharmacies

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Corina Metaxas ◽  
Valerie Albert ◽  
Susanne Habegger ◽  
Markus Messerli ◽  
Kurt E. Hersberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Medication Review ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Patient Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background: Therapy with oral anticoagulation (OAC) can be challenging, especially in high risk groups such as chronic patients. Gaps in patient knowledge about OAC are linked to reduced effectiveness and safety of treatment. The objectives of this study were i) to assess OAC knowledge gathered during an intermediate medication review (MR) in patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC); ii) to assess OAC knowledge two weeks after the MR, and iii) to evaluate patient satisfaction with the MR service in community pharmacies. Methods: Chronic OAC patients were invited for a regular MR service in Swiss community pharmacies, the so-called “Polymedication-Check” (PMC). OAC knowledge was assessed with seven newly generated items asked face-to-face during a PMC and by telephone two weeks later. Knowledge gaps, pharmacists’ spontaneous interventions, and patient satisfaction were documented by observing pharmacy students. Treatment groups were compared. Results: Of all patients (n = 81), the number of patients with one or more knowledge gaps decreased from 66% to 31.3% after PMC (p < 0.001). NOAC patients (n = 31) had more knowledge gaps than VKA patients (n = 50; p < 0.05). Most patients (98.6%) were satisfied with the counselling provided by the pharmacists. Conclusion: The majority of chronic OAC patients shows knowledge gaps. Although spontaneous, the provision of tailored education during a PMC increased patient OAC knowledge.

scholarly journals Inferior Vena Cava Agenesis and Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Pharmacological Alternative to Vitamin K Antagonists

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Esteves Cruz ◽  
Pedro Ferreira ◽  
Raquel Silva ◽  
Francisco Silva ◽  
Isabel Madruga
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Inferior Vena Cava ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Inferior Vena ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Vein

Inferior vena cava (IVC) agenesis is a rare congenital abnormality affecting the infrarenal segment, the suprarenal or the whole of the IVC. It has an estimated prevalence of up to 1% in the general population that can rise to 8.7% when abnormalities of the left renal vein are considered. Most IVC malformations are asymptomatic but may be associated with nonspecific symptoms or present as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Up to 5% of young individuals under 30 years of age with unprovoked DVT are found to have this condition. Regarding the treatment of IVC agenesis-associated DVT, there are no standard guidelines. Treatment is directed towards preventing thrombosis or its recurrence. Low molecular weight heparin and oral anticoagulation medication, in particular vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the mainstay of therapy. Given the high risk of DVT recurrence in these patients, oral anticoagulation therapy is suggested to be pursued indefinitely. As far as we know, this is the first case reporting the use of a direct factor Xa inhibitor in IVC agenesis-associated DVT. Given VKA monitoring limitations, the use of a direct Xa inhibitor could be an alternative in young individuals with anatomical defects without thrombophilia, but further studies will be needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.

scholarly journals Chronic Oral Anticoagulation and Clinical Outcome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Russo ◽  
Roberta Bottino ◽  
Antonello D’Andrea ◽  
Angelo Silverio ◽  
Marco Di Maio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Artery Disease

Abstract Purpose The clinical course of COVID-19 may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and thromboembolic events, which are associated with high risk of mortality. Although previous studies reported a lower rate of death in patients treated with heparin, the potential benefit of chronic oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between OAT with the risk of ARDS and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods This is a multicenter retrospective Italian study including consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from March 1 to April 22, 2020, at six Italian hospitals. Patients were divided into two groups according to the chronic assumption of oral anticoagulants. Results Overall, 427 patients were included; 87 patients (19%) were in the OAT group. Of them, 54 patients (13%) were on treatment with non-vitamin k oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and 33 (8%) with vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs). OAT patients were older and had a higher rate of hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease compared to No-OAT group. The rate of ARDS at admission (26% vs 28%, P=0.834), or developed during the hospitalization (9% vs 10%, P=0.915), was similar between study groups; in-hospital mortality (22% vs 26%, P=0.395) was also comparable. After balancing for potential confounders by using the propensity score matching technique, no differences were found in term of clinical outcome between OAT and No-OAT patients Conclusion Oral anticoagulation therapy, either NOACs or VKAs, did not influence the risk of ARDS or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Spectrophotometric Assays of Prothrombin in Plasma of Patients Using Oral Anticoagulants

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 1296-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
R M Bertina ◽  
W van der Marel-van Nieuwkoop ◽  
E A Loeliger
Keyword(s):  
Prothrombin Time ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Factor V ◽  
Anticoagulant Treatment ◽  
Factor Ii ◽  
K Deficiency

SummaryTwo spectrophotometric assays for prothrombin have been developed and compared with a one stage coagulant and an immunological assay. One of these assays (called the XAPC assay) uses a combination of factor Xa, phospholipid, Ca2+ and factor V as activator of prothrombin, and measures only normal prothrombin. The second (the ECAR assay) uses Echis carinatus venom as activator. This assay measures both normal prothrombin and PIVKA II (protein induced by vitamin K antagonists/absence). Combination of the results obtained by the XAPC and ECAR assays provides rapid and reliable information on the degree of “subcarboxylation” of prothrombin (oral anticoagulation, vitamin K deficiency).For patients on long term anticoagulant treatment the prothrombin time (Thrombotest) shows better correlation with the ratio prothrombin/prothrombin plus PIVKA II (XAPC/ ECAR) than with the factor II concentration. For patients starting the anticoagulant treatment there is no correlation between the Thrombotest time and the XAPC/ECAR ratio.It seems doubtful that (a) spectrophotometric factor II assay(s) will be as useful as the prothrombin time in the control of oral anticoagulation.

scholarly journals Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation Cardioversion: What Is Crucial to Take into Account

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3212
Author(s):  
Fabiana Lucà ◽  
Simona Giubilato ◽  
Stefania Angela Di Fusco ◽  
Laura Piccioni ◽  
Carmelo Massimiliano Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Thromboembolic Risk ◽  
Pharmacological Cardioversion

The therapeutic dilemma between rhythm and rate control in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unresolved and electrical or pharmacological cardioversion (CV) frequently represents a useful strategy. The most recent guidelines recommend anticoagulation according to individual thromboembolic risk. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been routinely used to prevent thromboembolic events. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) represent a significant advance due to their more predictable therapeutic effect and more favorable hemorrhagic risk profile. In hemodynamically unstable patients, an emergency electrical cardioversion (ECV) must be performed. In this situation, intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be administered before CV. In patients with AF occurring within less than 48 h, synchronized direct ECV should be the elective procedure, as it restores sinus rhythm quicker and more successfully than pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) and is associated with shorter length of hospitalization. Patients with acute onset AF were traditionally considered at lower risk of thromboembolic events due to the shorter time for atrial thrombus formation. In patients with hemodynamic stability and AF for more than 48 h, an ECV should be planned after at least 3 weeks of anticoagulation therapy. Alternatively, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) should be performed, followed by ECV and anticoagulation for at least 4 weeks. Theoretically, the standardized use of TEE before CV allows a better stratification of thromboembolic risk, although data available to date are not univocal.

Abstract 17182: Patterns of Discontinuation for Non-vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the ORBIT-AF II Registry

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A Steinberg ◽  
DaJuanicia N Simon ◽  
Laine Thomas ◽  
Jack Ansell ◽  
Bernard J Gersh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Primary Reason ◽  
Rates Of Change ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is effective at preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), yet warfarin is often poorly tolerated. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are as or more effective as warfarin, yet their tolerance and persistence in clinical practice is not known. Methods: We assessed patterns of persistent OAC use among 2,345 AF patients starting on therapy in the ORBIT-AF II registry (71% starting on a NOAC, and 29% on warfarin). Results: By 6 months, 364 (22%) patients started on a NOAC had discontinued or changed initial therapy versus 143 (21%) started on warfarin initially (p=0.5). Among warfarin users, patients who switched or discontinued therapy were of similar age (median ages 72 and 74 vs. 74 for stable users, p=0.7) and CHA2DS2-VASc scores (mean 98 and 3.66 vs. 3.84, p=0.4). Among NOAC users, those who discontinued treatment were younger (median age 68 vs. 73 for those who switched and 72 for stable users; p=0.0004), and lower CHA2DS2-VASc scores (3.02 vs. 3.58 and 3.47, respectively; p=0.0008). The median time to change or discontinuation was more rapid in those started on a NOAC vs warfarin (97 days vs. 122 days, p=0.003). Among those on warfarin at baseline, 7.6% (n=52) were switched to a NOAC within 6 months, whereas transitions from NOAC to warfarin was 2.5% (n=42).Transitions among NOACs occurred in 9.8%, 3.2%, and 5.5% of patients on baseline dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, respectively. Physician preference was the most common reason for both OAC and warfarin changes (Table). Drug cost was the primary reason for change of therapy in 15% of NOAC users (vs. 0 for warfarin). Conclusions: At 6-month follow-up, one in five newly started on OAC had discontinued or changed. These rates of change were similar among warfarin and NOAC treated patients. Cost concerns drove discontinuation in a modest number of patients, however, cost concerns were more prevalent in NOAC-treated patients.

Anticoagulation Clinics and Self-Testing

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Becker ◽  
Frederick A. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anticoagulation Clinic ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Model Of Management ◽  
Patients At Risk

Oral anticoagulation is a time-tested and effective therapy for patients at risk for thromboembolism (Ansell, 1993). Because of the high risk–benefit ratio of oral vitamin K antagonists, physicians are sometimes reluctant to initiate therapy even for well-established indications (Kutner et al., 1991; McCrory et al., 1995). Furthermore, management is recognized as labor intensive. These factors can be minimized and the benefits of treatment maximized by implementation of an expert model of management that can be achieved with a coordinated and focused system of care known as a coordinated anticoagulation clinic (Ansell and Hughes, 1996). Patient self-testing (and management) may also foster more wide-scale and effective treatment of thromboembolic disorders. The concept of a coordinated anticoagulation clinic (ACC) is not new. Programs focusing on the management of oral anticoagulation have existed in the United States since the late 1950s, and several Scandinavian and other European countries are well known for their coordinated programs (Loeliger et al., 1984), some of which oversee the care of all anticoagulated patients in their respective countries. In the United States, ACCs are growing in number and diversity of services, spurred on by increasing evidence of improved clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. The basic elements of a coordinated ACC include (1) a manager or team leader (physician, pharmacist), (2) support staff (nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or physician assistant), (3) standardized record keeping and a computerized database, (4) a manual of operation and practice guidelines, and (5) a formal mechanism for communicating with referring physicians and patients. Currently, most oral anticoagulation therapy in the United States is managed by a patient’s personal physician. In essence, the monitoring and dose titration of patients with thromboembolic disease represents a relatively small proportion of the physician’s overall clinical practice. This approach can be characterized as “traditional” or routine medical care. There may be no specialized system or guidelines in place to track patients or ensure their regular follow-up. An ACC uses a focused and coordinated approach to managing anticoagulation (Ansell et al., 1997).

4037Nurse counseling of patients with atrial fibrillation to improve compliance to oral anticoagulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Chilian-Hof ◽  
S Schnupp ◽  
C Mahnkopf ◽  
J Brachmann ◽  
C Kleinecke
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Telephone Counseling ◽  
Bleeding Events

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia with a prevalence of 1%–2% in the general population. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is state-of-the art for preventions of thromboembolic events, in particular ischemic stroke, in patients with atrial fibrillation. Despite its proven benefit, numerous studies have documented under use of OAC for a variety of reasons. Purpose To establish a program of nurse counseling in patient with atrial fibrillation and treatment with oral anticoagulation. The program is designed to improve patients satisfaction, compliance to OAC, prevention of medication errors, ischemic and bleeding events. Methods Patients with atrial fibrillation and treatment with oral anticoagulation were prospectively identified at the department of cardiology of our clinic. They received a 30 minutes nurse counseling about oral anticoagulation during the hospital stay and another 30 minutes telephone counseling 3 months after inclusion. Furthermore, they received a brochure to inform about atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation and methods to improve medication compliance. Demographic characteristics with stroke and bleeding risk (CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores), as well as procedural data were systematically assessed in a predefined standardized way and captured in a dedicated database. Results Between June 2017 and January 2018, a total of 617 patients (female gender: 43.1%) with atrial fibrillation and oral anticoagulation received nurse counseling. Demographic and follow-up data of 204 patients (female gender: 85/204 (41.7%); mean age 69.7±17.3, CHA2DS2-VASc score 4.2±1.7, HAS-BLED score 2.8±0.37) were assessed in a dedicated database. Indication for OAC was paroxysmal and persistent/permanent AF in 110/204 (53.9%), 93/204 (45.6%) and others 17 (8.3%), respectively. 33/2014 (16.2%) were treated with vitamin K antagonists, and 172/204 (84.3%) with non-vitamin K antagonists. After a follow-up of 0.46±2.9 years and 187 patients-years the rates of cardiovascular death, major bleeding events and all-cause stroke and TIA were 1.07%, 2.14% and 1.61% per 100 patient-years. Conclusion Nurse counseling in patients with atrial fibrillation and treatment with oral anticoagulation has been established at the REGIOMED clinics, Germany. Its effectiveness in terms of quality of live, medication complications and cardiovascular events has to be proven in a randomised trial. Acknowledgement/Funding Daichi-Sankyo

Factors associated with silent cerebral events during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in the era of uninterrupted oral anticoagulation therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Harada ◽  
Y Nomura ◽  
A Nishimura ◽  
Y Motoike ◽  
M Koshikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonist ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background A silent cerebral event (SCE), detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is defined as an acute new brain lesion without clinically apparent neurological deficit, and is frequently observed after catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Although the small number of SCEs does not cause neurocognitive dysfunction, the greater volume and/or larger number of SCE lesions are reportedly related to neuropsychological decline; SCE incidence may be a surrogate marker for the potential thromboembolic risk. Thus, strategies to reduce SCEs would be beneficial. Uninterrupted oral anticoagulation strategy for peri-procedural period reportedly reduced the risk of SCEs, but the incidence hovers at 10% to 30%. We sought factors associated with SCEs during catheter ablation for AF in patients with peri-procedural uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy. Methods AF patients undergoing catheter ablation were eligible (n=255). All patients took non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) or vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for peri-procedural OAC (&gt;4 weeks) without interruption during the procedure. Brain MRI was performed within 2 days after the procedure to detect SCEs. Clinical characteristics and procedure-related parameters were compared between patients with and without SCEs. Results SCEs were detected in 59 patients (23%, SCE[+]) but not in 196 patients (77%, SCE[-]). Average age was higher in SCE[+] than SCE[-] (66±10 years vs. 62±12 years, p&lt;0.05). Persistent AF prevalence, CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc scores, and serum NT-ProBNP levels increased in SCE[+] vs. SCE[-]. In transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography, left-atrial dimension (LAD) was larger and AF rhythm/spontaneous echo contrast were more frequently observed in SCE[+] than SCE[-]. SCE[+] had lower initial activated clotting time (ACT) before unfractionated heparin (UFH) injection and longer time to reach optimal ACT (&gt;300 sec) before trans-septal puncture than SCE [-]. In multivariate analysis, LAD, initial ACT before UFH injection, and time to reach optimal ACT were predictors for SCEs. Conclusions LAD and intra-procedural ACT kinetics affect SCEs during the procedure in patients with uninterrupted OAC for AF ablation. Shortening time to achieve optimal ACT during the procedure may reduce the risk of SCEs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Rates of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Mild Head Trauma Patients Presenting to Emergency Department and Their Management: A Comparison of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Drugs with Vitamin K Antagonists

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Savioli ◽  
Iride Francesca Ceresa ◽  
Sabino Luzzi ◽  
Cristian Gragnaniello ◽  
Alice Giotta Lucifero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Head Trauma ◽  
Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Blunt Head Trauma ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and objectives: Anticoagulants are thought to increase the risks of traumatic intracranial injury and poor clinical outcomes after blunt head trauma. The safety of using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) after intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is unclear. This study aims to compare the incidence of post-traumatic ICH following mild head injury (MHI) and to assess the need for surgery, mortality rates, emergency department (ED) revisit rates, and the volume of ICH. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center observational study on all patients admitted to our emergency department for mild head trauma from 1 January 2016, to 31 December 2018. We enrolled 234 anticoagulated patients, of which 156 were on VKAs and 78 on DOACs. Patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scans on arrival (T0) and after 24 h (T24). The control group consisted of patients not taking anticoagulants, had no clotting disorders, and who reported an MHI in the same period. About 54% in the control group had CTs performed. Results: The anticoagulated groups were comparable in baseline parameters. Patients on VKA developed ICH more frequently than patients on DOACs and the control group at 17%, 5.13%, and 7.5%, respectively. No significant difference between the two groups was noted in terms of surgery, intrahospital mortality rates, ED revisit rates, and the volume of ICH. Conclusions: Patients with mild head trauma on DOAC therapy had a similar prevalence of ICH to that of the control group. Meanwhile, patients on VKA therapy had about twice the ICH prevalence than that on the control group or patients on DOAC, which remained after correcting for age. No significant difference in the need for surgery was determined; however, this result must take into account the very small number of patients needing surgery.

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