Table 3 Reasons for patients with atrial fibrillation to receive no anticoagulant treatment
Reason | Frequency n (%) | Subcategory | Frequency n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Anticoagulant treatment not indicated according to guidelines due to low risk of stroke | |||
CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 (men)/1 (women) | 57 (34.3) | ||
Anticoagulant treatment indication not acknowledged in the clinical context | |||
Minimal atrial fibrillation | 28 (16.9) | AF during cardiac surgery | 12 (7.2) |
AF during non-cardiac surgery | 2 (1.2) | ||
AF during severe infectious disease | 9 (5.4) | ||
AF during thyrotoxicosis | 3 (1.8) | ||
AF recorded in less than 30 s | 2 (1.2) | ||
RFA-treated atrial flutter | 8 (4.8) | ||
Anticoagulant treatment indication acknowledged, but other or no treatment preferred | |||
Left atrial appendage closure | 30 (18.1) | ||
Palliative care | 5 (3.0) | ||
Patient preferences | 6 (3.6) | ||
Anticoagulant treatment indication considered, but rejected after balancing risks and benefits | |||
Balancing risk and benefit | 21 (12.7) | Low AF burden | 7 (4.2) |
Bleeding risk | 3 (1.8) | ||
Combination | 10 (6.0) | ||
Excessive alcohol consumption | 1 (0.6) | ||
Anticoagulant treatment indication evaluation not updated, inaccurately assessed or never performed | |||
Healthcare system factors | 11 (6.6) | Inaccurate CHA₂DS₂-VASc score | 9 (5.4) |
Fragmented care | 2 (1.2) | ||