[Use of oral anticoagulants in patients discharged with atrial fibrillation in 2000].

Introduction And Objectives: Although there is consensus about the use of oral anticoagulants to prevent thrombi and embolisms in most patients with atrial fibrillation, this treatment is underused in actual practice. Our objective was to determine and analyze the use of acenocoumarol in patients diagnosed as having atrial fibrillation at discharge.

Patients And Method: Between January and July 2000, we retrospectively studied 501 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

[Identification of factors responsible for oral over-anticoagulation in outpatients with heart disease].

Background: Few studies have attempted to investigate the clinical course or identify factors responsible for excessive anticoagulation in patients with heart disease.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of excessive anticoagulation in outpatients with heart disease treated with acenocoumarol, analyze the factors related with over-anticoagulation, and identify bleeding complications.

Patients And Method: This 7-month prospective observational study included consecutive outpatients anticoagulated with acenocoumarol.