BACKGROUND: Numerous randomized trials document the value of antithrombotic agents for the treatment of @entity65 ( @entity65 ). Although antithrombotic agents are often prescribed at hospital discharge after @entity65 -related events, much less is known about the ongoing use of such agents. METHODS: We examined the use of oral antithrombotic agents among a random sample of 2500 @entity1 with @entity65 who were enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region, a not-for-profit group-model health maintenance organization. Study subjects were identified based on a diagnosis of @entity301 , @entity385 or transient @entity63 attack, or @entity3657 in outpatient problem lists, visit records, and hospital discharge abstracts. Use of prescription antithrombotic agents was identified from pharmacy dispensing records. Regular use of @entity117 , recall of @entity117 advice and education, and other @entity1 characteristics were ascertained by mail survey. RESULTS: Among the 1844 subjects who returned the survey and answered the question regarding @entity117 use, 84% were using either @entity117 (72%) or a prescription antithrombotic agent (12%), typically @entity1229 . Antithrombotic therapy was relatively underused in @entity1 with @entity3657 (75% used an antithrombotic agent and 62% used @entity117 ). Use of antithrombotic agents, including @entity117 , did not differ by age but was higher among @entity1 (87%, 76%) than @entity1 (81%, 67%). Nearly all subjects reported having received @entity117 education (94%) or advice (81%); recall of education or advice was associated with a dramatically higher likelihood of using antithrombotic agents. To a lesser extent, so was contact with a cardiologist or vascular surgeon during the prior year. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of use of antithrombotic agents can be achieved among @entity1 with @entity65 in integrated not-for-profit health systems with mechanisms in place to encourage such use, including guidelines, messages to clinicians, nurse care management, alerts and routines embedded in electronic medical records, and direct mailings to @entity1 . Continued efforts should be made in all settings to optimize the use of antithrombotic therapy among @entity1 at an elevated risk of atherothrombotic events.

Use of oral antithrombotic agents among health maintenance organization members with XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients', 'patient', 'persons', 'men'] @entity3657 :: ('MESH:D058729', 'Disease') :: ['peripheral arterial disease'] @entity63 :: ('MESH:D007511', 'Disease') :: ['ischemic'] @entity301 :: ('MESH:D003327', 'Disease') :: ['coronary heart disease'] @entity117 :: ('MESH:D001241', 'Chemical') :: ['aspirin'] @entity65 :: ('MESH:D002318', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerotic CVD', 'CVD', 'cardiovascular disease'] @entity1229 :: ('MESH:D014859', 'Chemical') :: ['warfarin sodium'] @entity385 :: ('MESH:D002544', 'Disease') :: ['ischemic stroke']
@entity65 :: (MESH:D002318,Disease) :: ['atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease']
