Case scenario

Mrs Alvarez, an 82-year-old woman, presents to your pharmacy with a new prescription for apixaban 5 mg twice daily and some discharge paperwork, following a recent hospital admission after a fall at home. You notice that she was diagnosed with AF during her stay. Her medical history includes a myocardial infarction (MI) 2 years ago, for which she has been taking metoprolol, atorvastatin and aspirin.

Sponsorship statement

Funded by the Australian Government through the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology Program

Learning objectives

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Describe the clinical features of atrial fibrillation
  • Explain the role of anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation
  • Outline the role of pharmacists in patient education on medication adherence, bleeding risk reduction and symptom monitoring
  • Identify opportunities for opportunistic AF screening to facilitate early detection and referral, particularly in high-risk populations.

Competency standards (2016) addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 3.5

Accreditation number: C2506CDMJA

Accreditation expiry: 31/5/2028

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Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common recurrent arrhythmia worldwide,1 characterised by uncoordinated atrial activity and irregular ventricular contractions. While its causes and contributors are many, all share a common sequela – an increased risk of ischaemic stroke that can be mitigated by anticoagulation.1 While the use of anticoagulan

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