Revised guideline on AF helps clarify recent NICE guidance

The recently published NICE guideline on the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) was featured in the July issue of Guidelines in Practice. As highlighted by the author, Dr Alan Begg, the decision on whether to commence anti-clotting therapy in primary care remains a difficult one despite this new guidance.

The American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology have jointly released a revised guideline for the Management of patients with atrial fibrillation, which provides a clear and easy to follow approach to commencing anti-clotting therapy. As reported in this month's News, the presence of stroke risk factors can be used to determine initiation of anti-clotting therapy in a patient with AF.

The guideline recommends the use of daily aspirin therapy in AF patients with no stroke risk factors; aspirin or warfarin is recommended for patients with one moderate risk factor; and warfarin is suggested for patients with more than one moderate risk factor or any high risk factor.

This logical evidence-based advice should help make this difficult decision easier for GPs.

Julia Morris, Editor
julia.morris@mgp.ltd.uk

Guidelines in Practice, August 2006, Volume 9(8) © 2006 MGP Ltd further information | subscribe