Arterial hypertension has been recognized as a major causal factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. In light of its worldwide increasing prevalence and incidence and the accompanied increase in the risk of stroke, thromboembolic events and mortality, AF has emerged as a global healthcare problem. Early diagnosis of AF, prior to the occurrence of complications is a recognized priority for the prevention of strokes. Once diagnosed, anticoagulant therapy is the cornerstone in the management of the risk of stroke in AF patients. The 2012 ESC Guidelines recommend the use of a risk factor-based approach to stroke risk stratification for AF patients. This study aims towards gaining real-world data on the prevalence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) among hypertensives in Greece. The rate of ESC guideline-adherent antithrombotic therapy on the basis of stroke and bleeding risk assessments, and factors influencing treatment decision-making will be assessed as well in patients diagnosed with the arrhythmia. Finally, potential differences in the NVAF prevalence in adequately and inadequately controlled hypertensives will be documented.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,119
As prescribed by treated physician
Unnamed facility
Many Locations, Greece
Frequency of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NAVF) among hypertensive outpatients
Time frame: At enrollment
Proportion of NVAF patients for whom the HAS-BLED score has been estimated by the physicians as part of the decision for antithrombotic treatment
HAS-BLED: Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile INR, Elderly, Drugs/alcohol concomitantly
Time frame: At enrollment
Frequency of oral anticoagulation therapy among the study population diagnosed with NVAF
Time frame: At enrollment
Proportion of untreated patients among the study population diagnosed with NVAF
Time frame: At enrollment
Proportion of antiplatelet therapy treated patients among the study population diagnosed with NVAF
Time frame: At enrollment
CHADS2 scores
CHADS2 : Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age 75 years or older, Diabetes mellitus and prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack (doubled)
Time frame: At enrollment
CHA2DS2-VASc scores
CHA2DS2-VASc: Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age 75 years or older (doubled), Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke/transient ischemic attack (doubled), Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years and Sex category
Time frame: At enrollment
Degree of agreement between the proportions of patients classified at intermediate and high stroke risk according to the two risk stratification systems
Time frame: At enrollment
CHA2DS2-VASc score in hypertensives without NVAF
Time frame: At enrollment
Correlation of the CHA2DS2-VASc-assessed risk with the average annual stroke risk as calculated by the Framingham stroke risk scoring system in hypertensives without NVAF
A Poisson regression model or negative binomial model will be applied in order to examine the potential association of the Framingham stroke risk score with the CHA2DS2-VASc score
Time frame: At enrollment
CHA2DS2-VASc score in hypertensives without AF
Time frame: At enrollment
Correlation of the CHA2DS2-VASc-assessed risk with the average annual AF risk as calculated by the Framingham AF risk scoring system in hypertensives without AF
A Poisson regression model or negative binomial model will be applied in order to examine the potential association of the Framingham AF risk score with the CHA2DS2-VASc score
Time frame: At enrollment
Frequency of NVAF among the subpopulations of hypertensives adequately versus those inadequately controlled according to the physicians' medical judgement
Time frame: At enrollment
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