Pharmacists’ Bleed Risk Tool and Treatment Preferences Prior to Initiating Anticoagulation in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective: To determine pharmacists’ preferences in bleed risk tool (BRT) usage and gastroprotection when bleed risk was lower than or equal to stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and who were candidates for oral anticoagulation therapy (warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]). Methods: A survey consisting of 4 domains (demographics, clinical experience, BRT usage, and treatment preferences based on cases where bleed risk was lower than or equal to stroke risk) was developed. The anonymous survey was disseminated via REDCap software to members of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy ambulatory care and cardiology Practice-based Research Networks. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables and inferential statistics were employed as necessary. Results: Of 165 BRT users, 97% preferred HAS-BLED. When bleed risk was lower than stroke risk, 151 respondents chose either DOACs (65%) or warfarin (35%); 15% added gastroprotection. When bleed risk was equal to stroke risk, 141 respondents chose DOACs (50%), warfarin (45%), or aspirin (5%); 40% added gastroprotection. Conclusion: In addition to BRT usage, pharmacists were judicious in their recommendation to add gastroprotection and would consider doing so if there was a specific indication. As more than 80% of extracranial bleeds are gastrointestinal bleeds and most BRTs are nonspecific for predicting these bleeds, randomized, prospective studies stratified by HAS-BLED and stroke risk scores are needed to provide further guidance on the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation therapy with or without gastroprotection.