TY - JOUR
T1 - An Evaluation of Practitioners' Preference of Stroke Risk Tools in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: CHA2DS2VASC versus CHADS2
AU - Hale, Genevieve M
AU - Joseph, Tina
AU - Singh-Franco, Devada
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Background Several stroke risk assessment tools exist. However, current nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) guidelines differ in utilization of these tools. For instance, the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society (AHA/ACC/HRS) guidelines recommend use of the CHA2DS2VASc score, whereas the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines endorse the CHADS2 score for stroke risk assessment. Methods In this cross-sectional, correlational study, an anonymous online survey was administered to practitioners nationally who routinely see patients with NVAF. The primary objective of this study was to determine prescribers' and pharmacists' preferences in the use of either the CHA2DS2VASc or CHADS2 scores in determining stroke risk in patients with NVAF by using this novel national survey. Chi-square analyses were conducted to test for differences in preference of stroke screening tools and guidelines employed. Results A total of 342 practitioners opened the distributed electronic survey. The survey was completed in entirety by 257 respondents. Of these, 11.28% were prescribers and 88.72% were pharmacists. Both pharmacists and prescribers responded that the CHA2DS2VASc was the most utilized scoring tool for stroke risk (71.0%). Overall, the most followed guidelines were ACCP (n=243). A statistically significant difference was found between prescribers who preferred the AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines, while pharmacists preferred using the ACCP guidelines (ACCP guidelines, Z=-2.99, p = 0.002; AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines, Z=3.47, p < 0.001). Conclusion Both pharmacists and prescribers prefer using the CHA2DS2VASc scoring tool for stroke risk assessment. However, despite agreeing on the stroke risk tool most utilized, discrepancies exist between practitioners in regards to guideline preference. This demonstrates that education and alignment of conflicting current guidelines is needed as many practitioners follow the ACCP guidelines, which recommend the CHADS2 score, despite stating utilization of the CHA2DS2VASc score.
AB - Background Several stroke risk assessment tools exist. However, current nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) guidelines differ in utilization of these tools. For instance, the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society (AHA/ACC/HRS) guidelines recommend use of the CHA2DS2VASc score, whereas the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines endorse the CHADS2 score for stroke risk assessment. Methods In this cross-sectional, correlational study, an anonymous online survey was administered to practitioners nationally who routinely see patients with NVAF. The primary objective of this study was to determine prescribers' and pharmacists' preferences in the use of either the CHA2DS2VASc or CHADS2 scores in determining stroke risk in patients with NVAF by using this novel national survey. Chi-square analyses were conducted to test for differences in preference of stroke screening tools and guidelines employed. Results A total of 342 practitioners opened the distributed electronic survey. The survey was completed in entirety by 257 respondents. Of these, 11.28% were prescribers and 88.72% were pharmacists. Both pharmacists and prescribers responded that the CHA2DS2VASc was the most utilized scoring tool for stroke risk (71.0%). Overall, the most followed guidelines were ACCP (n=243). A statistically significant difference was found between prescribers who preferred the AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines, while pharmacists preferred using the ACCP guidelines (ACCP guidelines, Z=-2.99, p = 0.002; AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines, Z=3.47, p < 0.001). Conclusion Both pharmacists and prescribers prefer using the CHA2DS2VASc scoring tool for stroke risk assessment. However, despite agreeing on the stroke risk tool most utilized, discrepancies exist between practitioners in regards to guideline preference. This demonstrates that education and alignment of conflicting current guidelines is needed as many practitioners follow the ACCP guidelines, which recommend the CHADS2 score, despite stating utilization of the CHA2DS2VASc score.
KW - heart rhythm
KW - nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)
KW - pharmacists
KW - stroke
UR - https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_corx_facarticles/329
UR - http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/71/11_Supplement/A2629
U2 - 10.1016/S0735-1097(18)33170-X
DO - 10.1016/S0735-1097(18)33170-X
M3 - Article
SN - 1558-3597
VL - 71
JO - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
JF - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
ER -