Antithrombotic treatment for atrial fibrillation

doi:10.1136/bmj.319.7211.708

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Patients must be told full details of risks of treatment

Gregory Peterson, associate professor

School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252-26, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
Warders Medical Centre, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1LA
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 …