What is the role of the cardiologist in future management of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation?

Improving multidisciplinary hospital care for acute cerebral circulation disorders in Kazakhstan

Background

According to the World Stroke Organization, there was a significant increase in stroke cases, stroke deaths, and the DALY rate in low- and middle-income countries in 2022. The number of stroke cases rose by 70.0%, stroke deaths reached 86.0%, and the DALY rate reached 89.0%. Among cerebrovascular diseases, ischemic stroke accounts for 62.0% of all strokes, with more than 7.6 million cases reported annually.Kazakhstan, with a population of 19,832,737, is the largest country in Central Asia in terms of territory. In Kazakhstan, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease has risen from 258.4 cases per 100,000 population in 2015 to 433.7 cases per 100,000 population in 2020. Official statistics indicate that the average inpatient mortality rate from stroke in the country is 16.2%, and the average time for patients to be delivered to the hospital after an ambulance call is 40 min (83.2%).Our study findings reveal that in the regions of Kazakhstan, the main contributors to the high morbidity and mortality rates in stroke are a shortage of doctors, inadequate primary healthcare, insufficient follow-up and treatment, and delayed hospitalization. Consequently, this study has helped fill knowledge gaps regarding the epidemiological situation in these regions and underscores the need for training doctors in managing high-risk patients, establishing multidisciplinary home visit teams, and establishing "Stroke Schools" to enhance public awareness of early stroke signs and the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle. Future research endeavors should consider these study results as valuable contributions towards addressing the existing problems.

Aim

To study the prevalence and mortality of acute cerebral circulation impairment in the population within multidisciplinary hospitals in the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, for the period of 2018-2020.This retrospective study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, an analysis of morbidity, prevalence, and mortality was conducted for the population of Nur-Sultan and Almaty cities, as well as for the overall population of Kazakhstan. This analysis was based on data from the "Electronic Register of Discharged Patients" (IS ERDB) and the annual collection "Health of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Activities of Health Organizations in 2015-2020". In the second stage, we examined the care provided to patients with acute impaired cerebral circulation in a multidisciplinary hospital in these two cities. The analysis was based on data regarding the sex and age composition of treated patients in hospitals across the Republic of Kazakhstan, categorized according to the ICD-10 code "Acute Impaired Cerebral Circulation" (I60-I64). We investigated the methods of patients' delivery to medical organizations, types of hospitalization, and outcomes of treated patients. The sample of patients was selected using data from the "Electronic Register of Dispensary Patients" of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, along with the statistical collection "Health of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Activities of Healthcare Organizations". Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, a total of 5965 patients were diagnosed with a cerebrovascular event and admitted to a general hospital in Nur-Sultan city, while 13,498 patients were diagnosed and admitted in Almaty city.

Practice implications of the Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common and complex cardiac arrhythmias. Using currently available evidence, leading medical societies have established recommendations for the optimal management of atrial fibrillation. These guidelines have recently been updated by 4 consensus groups: the European Society of Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and a task force of 3 societies from the United States: the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society. The present review focused on the similarities and differences among these recently updated guidelines. Key revisions included updated information on newer treatments for rhythm control, treatment options to reduce atrial fibrillation complications, and updated anticoagulant management for thromboprophylaxis.

Exploring barriers to optimal anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: interviews with clinicians

BACKGROUND

Warfarin, the most commonly used antithrombotic agent for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation (AF), requires regular monitoring, frequent dosage adjustments, and dietary restrictions. Clinicians' perceptions of barriers to optimal AF management are an important factor in treatment. Anticoagulation management for AF is overseen by both cardiology and internal medicine (IM) practices. Thus, gaining the perspective of specialists and generalists is essential in understanding barriers to treatment. We used qualitative research methods to define key issues in the prescription of warfarin therapy for AF by cardiology specialists and IM physicians.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Clinicians were interviewed to identify barriers to warfarin treatment in a large Midwestern city. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation occurred. Content analysis yielded several themes. The most salient theme that emerged from clinician interviews was use of characteristics other than the patient's CHADS(2) score to enact a treatment plan, such as the patient's social situation and past medication-taking behavior. Other themes included patient knowledge, real-world problems, breakdown in communication, and clinician reluctance.

CONCLUSION

Warfarin treatment is associated with many challenges. The barriers identified by clinicians highlight the unmet need associated with stroke prophylaxis in AF and the opportunity to improve anticoagulation treatment in AF. Social and lifestyle factors were important considerations in determining treatment.