QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Many @entity1 with @entity955 ( @entity955 ), risk factors for @entity64 and no obvious contraindications do not receive oral anticoagulation. Estimations of the increased rate of @entity64 due to neglected anticoagulation, particularly in an elderly, non-selected population, are unknown. METHODS: Consecutive @entity1 with paroxysmal or permanent @entity955 admitted to the medical or surgical department of our hospital for any reason were studied. Risk factors for @entity64 and contraindications for anticoagulation were recorded. Estimations of the increased rate of cerebrovascular events due to neglected anticoagulation were based on data of a large meta-analysis. @entity1 were further stratified into different age and risk groups. RESULTS: 484 @entity1 with a mean age of 75 (12) years were studied, 45% were female. 237 @entity1 had no oral anticoagulation at hospital discharge, despite guideline recommendations. Contraindications for anticoagulation were found in 85 (36%) of these @entity1 , resulting in 152 @entity1 with neglected anticoagulation (31% of all @entity1 with @entity955 ). We estimated that, if all those @entity1 would have been treated according to guidelines, 7.4 @entity64 per year could be prevented in the study population. The estimated rate of preventable events was 4.9%/year (7.4/152). CONCLUSIONS: With better adherence to guidelines for oral anticoagulation in @entity1 with @entity955 and risk factors for @entity64 , a significant number of @entity64 could be prevented.

XXXX : estimated excess rate of @entity64 due to lacking adherence to guidelines.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity64 :: ('MESH:D020521', 'Disease') :: ['strokes', 'stroke'] @entity955 :: ('MESH:D001281', 'Disease') :: ['atrial fibrillation', 'AF']
@entity955 :: (MESH:D001281,Disease) :: ['Atrial fibrillation']
