Percepción de los médicos sobre los factores que influyen en la elección de un dicumarínico o de un nuevo anticoagulante oral en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular

AIMS: Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulant drugs for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Our aim was to evaluate the factors that can influence physicians in their choice between a classic and a new anticoagulant in these patients. DESIGN: Several variables of interest were discussed and analysed using a Workmat(TM) methodology. SITES: Six regional meetings were held in Spain (East, Catalonia, Andalusia-Extremadura, Madrid, North-east, and North of Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Meetings were attended by 39 specialists (cardiologists, neurologists, haematologists, internists, and emergency and Primary Care physicians). MEASUREMENTS: Each participant graded their level of agreement, with a score from 1 to 10, on every analysed variable. RESULTS: A new anticoagulant drug was preferred in patients with previous failure of dicoumarin therapy (9.7 ± 0.5), high haemorrhagic risk (8.7 ± 1), prior bleeding (7.8 ± 1.5), and high thrombotic risk (7.7 ± 1.2). Dicoumarins were preferred in cases of severe (1.2 ± 0.4) or moderate (4.2 ± 2.5) kidney failure, good control with dicoumarins (2.3 ± 1.5), cognitive impairment (3.2 ± 3), and low haemorrhagic risk (4.3 ± 3). Age, sex, weight, cost of drug, polymedication, and low thrombotic risk achieved intermediate scores. There were no differences between the different specialists or Spanish regions. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a high thrombotic or haemorrhagic risk and the failure of previous dicoumarin therapy lead to choosing a new oral anticoagulant in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, while kidney failure, cognitive impairment, good control with dicoumarins, and a low bleeding risk predispose to selecting a classic dicoumarin anticoagulant.