Clinical Implications of Recommendations in Current Guidelines on Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the clinics. We aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of anticoagulation in terms of warfarin that is recommended by current guidelines. Among patients having an indication for Oral Anti Coagulation (OAC), those under treatment with warfarin and those that are not taking were compared (n: 205). 117 of the 190 patients with an indication for OAC (57.0% of the patient population; 61.6% of those with an indication for OAC) were found to be taking OAC. 73 patients had an indication, but were not taking warfarin for a variety of reasons. 83 patients were detected, who had an indication for warfarin and did take warfarin, and found to have INR controls in the retrospective screening, 58 of which (69.9%) had an effective INR. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups who were taking and who were not taking warfarin, in terms of HAS-BLED and CHA2DS2-VASc scores (p = 0.656, p = 0.696, respectively). Treatment may not be initiated in patients with an indication for OAC treatment, due to patientrelated reasons, physician-related reasons, medication-related reasons, or therapeutic levels may not be achieved, or drug treatment is interrupted due to various reasons, as a result of patient non-compliance.