Adherence to the ABC (Atrial fibrillation Better Care) pathway in the Balkan region: the BALKAN-AF survey

Monika Kozieł, Stefan Simovic, Nikola Pavlovic, Aleksander Kocijancic, Vilma Paparisto, Ljilja Music, Elina Trendafilova, Anca R Dan, Zumreta Kusljugic, Gheorghe-Andrei Dan, Gregory Y H Lip, Tatjana S Potpara, BALKAN‑AF Investigators

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway provides a useful way of simplifying decision‑making considerations in a holistic approach to atrial fibrillation management.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate adherence to the ABC pathway and to determine major gaps in adherence in patients in the BALKAN‑AF survey.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this ancillary analysis, patients from the BALKAN‑AF survey were divided into the following groups: A (avoid stroke) + B (better symptom control) + C (cardiovascular and comorbidity risk management)-adherent and -nonadherent management.

RESULTS: Among 2712 enrolled patients, 1013 (43.8%) patients with mean (SD) age of 68.8 (10.2) years and mean CHA2DS2‑VASc score of 3.4 (1.8) had A+B+C-adherent management and 1299 (56.2%) had A+B+C-nonadherent management. Independent predictors of increased A+B+C-adherent management were: capital city (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.46; P = 0.02), treatment by cardiologist (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.66; P = 0.01), hypertension (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.74-2.77; P <0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05-1.57; P = 0.01), and multimorbidity (the presence of 2 or more long‑ term conditions) (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.43-2.38; P <0.001). Independent predictors of decreased A+B+C-adherent management were: age 80 years or older (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.48-0.76; P <0.001) and history of bleeding (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.33-0.75; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' adherence to integrated AF management based on the ABC pathway was suboptimal. Addressing the identified clinical and system‑related factors associated with A+B+C-nonadherent management using targeted approaches is needed to optimize treatment of patients with AF in the Balkan region.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPolskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej
Volume130
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)187-195
Number of pages9
ISSN0032-3772
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • BALKAN-AF survey
  • Oral anticoagulants
  • Rate control
  • Rhythm control

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