Characteristics of Patients with Venous Thromboembolism and Atrial Fibrillation in Venezuela
Author Information
Author(s): Bennett Dimitri, Abate Jorge, Abrahamson Page E
Primary Institution: GlaxoSmithKline
Hypothesis
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the characteristics of Venezuelan patients admitted and treated for venous thromboembolic events and atrial fibrillation.
Conclusion
These results provide background characteristics for future studies assessing risk factors for AF and VTEE in South American populations.
Supporting Evidence
- Men were more likely to have AF (58%) while more women experienced a VTEE (58%).
- Most patients were admitted via the emergency room (87%) and had only one event during the study period (83%).
- Common comorbidities included hypertension (46%), heart failure (17%), diabetes (12%) and congestive heart failure (11%).
- Characteristics of Venezuelan patients with VTEE and AF are similar to that reported in the literature for other populations.
Takeaway
This study looked at patients in Venezuela who had blood clots or heart rhythm problems, finding that their characteristics are similar to those in other countries.
Methodology
A retrospective medical record review of 1397 consecutive patients admitted to three private hospitals or clinics between January 2000 and December 2005.
Potential Biases
The clinics may represent a higher socioeconomic bracket than the average for Venezuela.
Limitations
The study was limited by the information recorded in the physicians' notes and did not validate the data about the sensitivity or specificity of the ICD-10 codes used.
Participant Demographics
The study included 401 patients with VTEEs and 996 AF patients, with a mean age of 60.1 years for VTEE and 70.7 years for AF.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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