Letter

Antithrombotic treatment for atrial fibrillation

BMJ 1999; 319 doi: 10.1136/bmj.319.7211.708 (Published 11 September 1999)
Cite this as: BMJ 1999;319:708.1

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Patients must be told full details of risks of treatment

  1. Gregory Peterson, associate professor
  1. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252-26, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
  2. Warders Medical Centre, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1LA
  3. Department of General Practice, Guy's, King's And St Thomas's School of Medicine, London SE11 6SP

    EDITOR—The findings of Howitt and Armstrong's study of antithrombotic treatment for atrial fibrillation in general practice—in particular that patients were unwilling to take warfarin—have uncertain clinical relevance.1 They are in contrast to those of Sudlow et al, who reported that most elderly patients with atrial fibrillation would accept treatment to prevent stroke.2

    The precise information provided to patients is critically important in influencing their beliefs. Lack of detail on the information provided about the …

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