The incidence of atrial fibrillation and the use of warfarin in Northland, New Zealand stroke patients.

AIM: To identify the number of Northland stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to assess the effective use of warfarin anticoagulation in this group METHOD: A retrospective study of patients admitted with stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) to Whangarei Hospital between 1 Jan 2010 and 1 Sept 2010. RESULTS: Of 198 stroke/TIA patients identified, 47 (24%) had confirmed persistent or paroxysmal AF (PAF) or flutter. Only 12 (31%) patients with pre existing PAF or AF were on warfarin and only 1 patient had an ischaemic stroke while in the therapeutic INR range of 2.0-3.0. The commonest reason cited for no anticoagulation was patients' wishes. CONCLUSION: In our region, effective warfarin use for stroke prevention in AF patients is lower than recommended. This may be improved with increased awareness of efficacy and safety of warfarin and more thorough monitoring of INR.