BACKGROUND: @entity955 ( @entity955 ) is the most common @entity943 , affecting 6% of @entity1 over 65 years, and carries a 4.5% average @entity64 risk, which can be reduced by appropriate anticoagulation. A multi-centre observational study, Management and Outcomes in the Care of @entity955 in Germany ( @entity5664 ) was conducted to evaluate the current anticoagulation treatment pattern in @entity1 with @entity955 in Germany. METHODS: @entity1 with @entity955 were recruited from December 2003 to June 2004 in physician practices. Clinical data including International Normalised Ratio (INR) values and anticoagulation strategy were obtained from the physician chart and the @entity1 follow-up, documenting hospitalisations, medications, and complications, was conducted at three and six months. Main outcome measures included anticoagulation methods, practice guidelines adherence and time within recommended anticoagulation range. RESULTS: 361 @entity1 with @entity955 (mean age 71+/-9, 61% male) were recruited in 45 physician practices. 90% of all @entity1 had been treated with @entity2067 -Antagonists (VKA) at some time since @entity955 -diagnosis, 88% were still treated. 10% of @entity1 received @entity117 as their anticoagulation therapy. Monitoring occurred at least once a month in over 70% of @entity1 . Monitored INR values were 56% of the time within, 14% below and 30% over the recommended target range. A gap of 40% existed between the guideline recommendations and actual practice. Younger @entity1 (<60 years of age) with no documented risk factors for @entity64 were over-treated with VKAs and @entity1 older than 75 years without contraindications for anticoagulation were under-treated. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents 'real-life' data in treating @entity1 with @entity955 in Germany and identifies the potential to advance the quality of care with respect to anticoagulation.

Anticoagulation treatment for the reduction of XXXX in @entity955 : a cohort study to examine the gap between guidelines and routine medical practice.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient', 'people'] @entity64 :: ('MESH:D020521', 'Disease') :: ['annual stroke', 'stroke'] @entity2067 :: ('MESH:D014812', 'Chemical') :: ['Vitamin K'] @entity5664 :: ('1795', 'Gene') :: ['MOCA'] @entity117 :: ('MESH:D001241', 'Chemical') :: ['aspirin'] @entity955 :: ('MESH:D001281', 'Disease') :: ['Atrial fibrillation', 'AF'] @entity943 :: ('MESH:D001145', 'Disease') :: ['heart arrhythmia']
@entity64 :: (MESH:D020521,Disease) :: ['stroke']
