New patient survey results

New patient survey results show 80% of AF patients say ‘YES’ to the freedom that INR self-monitoring gives them. Take a look at the results and press release here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[CaroleF]

Interesting, and fairly predictable I would have thought. So is the AFA going to disseminate these survey results to .... I don't know who but relevant 'authorities'?

[MarkS]

Self-testing is one of the best decisions I've made. I can afford a Coaguchek but it's pretty scandalous that they are not available on the NHS. The NHS seems prepared to spend hundreds p.a. on NOACs when a very good alternative - warfarin plus self-testing - is sitting there.

One of the key benefits of Coagucheks is that patients get involved in their own treatment. In recent surveys, patients on NOACs have a high discontinuance level and high stroke rate because they aren't monitored. They're just given the pills and forgotten about.

Mark

[Annekw in reply to MarkS]

No MarkS this is not the case ,NOAC's are proving to be a much safer

and effective than old fashioned Warfarin.

I went into AF in Tenerife two years ago and the Consultant there said how slow UK was taking up the newer drug treatment, remarking of course it is down to money,many people posting here have come across this!

[MarkS in reply to Annekw]

Sorry I have to disagree. See this article "Well-managed warfarin is superior to NOACs": cfp.ca/content/61/1/23.full

The problem with the trials of the NOACs is that comparison was made to poorly controlled warfarin - 64% TTR (Time in Therapeutic Range) for dabigatran, 55% TTR for rivaroxaban and 62% TTR for apixaban.

If comparison is made where INR is in range more than 64% of the time, then results are similar between warfarin and NOACs for strokes. Overall mortality is lower with warfarin as there are fewer heart attacks with warfarin. If TTR is greater than 80% then warfarin is superior. With the assistance of my Coaguchek I'm in range about 99% of the time.

There are those who are not stable on warfarin and the NOACs are essential for those people.

[Hidden in reply to MarkS]

That's what it's about making informed decisions knowledge is power

[Hidden in reply to MarkS]

I've been on a Noac for few years without problems. On Warfarin my INR difficult to get right. On holiday on a Greek island it went to 9 all day at hospital on drip check and re check and re check. On return home 9-10 again vitamin k and check and recheck. Know which I prefer

[RoyM]

To many if ands and buts in that report for my liking. Too many restrictions on diet in order to achieve a superior result over modern NOAC,s. In the real world the new NOAC,S do offer much more freedom and an escape from self checking and medication adjustment. Like everything, it's very much an individuals choice and on a personal basis I would choose the new NOAC,s over Warfarin every time.