RISK OF BLEEDING IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS TAKING ANTICOAGULANTS

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rate that occurs when the two upper chambers of heart experience
chaotic electrical signals. Factors associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events in patients
with atrial fibrillation include increasing age, poor left ventricular function, previous myocardial infarction,
hypertension and past history of a thromboembolic event. Atrial fibrillation patients should be considered
for anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy based on their age, the presence of other risk factors for stroke
and the risk of complications from anticoagulation. In general, patients with risk factors for stroke should
receive warfarin anticoagulation, regardless of their age. In patients who are under age 65 and have no
other risk factors for stroke, either aspirin therapy or no therapy at all is recommended. In this study we
discuss the issues involved in the risk of bleeding in association with atrial fibrillation and the indications
for anticoagulation therapy. A study was conducted in Cardiology In-patient Department of a Tertiary care
hospital. Patient details were collected using data collection forms. HAS BLED score were used. Out of
150 patients, rivaroxaban was used in 82 patients and using SPSS version 20 software, results were
calculated. Results obtained illustrate that patients using combination therapy of oral anticoagulants and
antiplatelets were at higher risk of bleeding compared to other patients and patients with hypertension were
at higher risk of bleeding than non-hypertensive patients. It is crucial to find an effective and equally safe
treatment to reduce bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation patients taking anticoagulants.