A pharmacist-led programme has helped to reduce the number of stokes related to atrial fibrillation by a third. The recent Anticoagulation Achievement Awards for outstanding practice in the delivery of anticoagulation services across the UK recognised the achievement with a commendation.

Pharmacists from Interface Clinical Services worked with clinicians and nurses from 16 practices in the Sentinel GP Federation in South West England to review an atrial fibrillation population of around 3,000 people. The review identified an additional 300 patients and reduced the number of people with AF who were not receiving appropriate anticoagulation therapy by 220. This reduced the predicted 12-month stroke incidence from 65 to 43 per cent and delivered a net saving of more than £135,000 based on figures from Stroke UK.

“During the review, we stratified AF patients who were at high risk of stroke,” pharmacist Jack Birchall says. Pharmacists then ensured patients received optimal therapy to reduce stroke risk, reviewing, for example, use of vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants.

The pharmacists also discussed the risks and symptoms of stroke or transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) with patients. “Many patients with AF are not aware that they are five times more likely to suffer a stroke or TIA due to the formation of blood clots, which can block arteries to the brain,” Jack Birchall adds. “The combination of the appropriate anticoagulation therapy and patient education, I feel, is key to improving long-term health.”