| Popis: |
BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Germany are often managed jointly by primary‐care physicians in cooperation with cardiologists. We aimed to investigate the management and 1‐year outcomes of AF patients in this setting. HYPOTHESIS: We set out to describe the current management of AF patients in primary care settings in Germany. METHODS: Observational registry with 1‐year follow‐up, performed by a representative, randomly selected sample of 781 primary‐care physicians in Germany. RESULTS: Of 3781 patients with electrocardiographically documented AF, 3163 patients (age 71.9 ± 9.2 years, 57.9% males) were followed for 1 year; 28.4% had paroxysmal, 27.0% persistent, and 43.3% permanent AF. Comorbid conditions were common (mean CHA(2)DS(2)‐VASc score 3. 8 ± 1.7). Rhythm‐control therapy was used in 16.4%. Although oral anticoagulation was often used (82.7% at baseline), stroke rate during follow‐up was high (2.7% stroke, 3.0% transient ischemic attack). Despite a long duration of AF (mean duration 61 months at enrollment), 18.5% of patients were hospitalized during the 1‐year follow‐up. CONCLUSIONS: In this unselected group of patients with long‐standing AF managed in primary care, hospitalizations and cardiovascular complications including strokes are frequent, illustrating the need to improve management of AF patients. |
