CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSISTED IN A PRIVATE CLINIC ON THE NORTH COAST OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide, the most common arrhythmia in adults is atrial fibrillation. It is estimated that the prevalence of this disease is 2% to 4% of the population. This number may increase due to the prolongation of life expectancy, as advanced age is a factor that causes arrhythmia. Other comorbidities are also considered risk factors for atrial fibrillation, such as systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in which atrial electrical activation is abnormal, causing the atrium to lose its ability to contract. It can be symptomatic or asymptomatic and is divided into five modes based on performance, duration and spontaneous outcome. Objectives: The objective of this study was to track the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation under medical supervision in the private network of the city of Osório. Methodology: The research design is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study obtained from medical records of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who were followed up at a specialized medical clinic in the city of Osório/RS. Epidemiological and clinical aspects were characterized through the interpretation of the results obtained. Results and Discussions: It was identified that the mean age of patients with AF was 74.1 years, women of Caucasian ethnicity. Most use the Unified Health System. Most residents of Osório, with permanent AF as the most incident, followed by paroxysmal AF. The most associated comorbidities were SAH, dyslipidemia, diabetes and stroke. The most used treatment was DOACs, followed by conventional anticoagulation vitamin K antagonist. The demand for the first care was for check-up, palpitations, dyspnea and stroke, respectively. Finally, the greatest difficulties encountered were poor medication adherence and depression. Conclusion: In view of the above, it is possible to identify the importance of the nurse, as a member of the multidisciplinary team and health educator, since patients with atrial fibrillation are mostly elderly, who have some cognitive difficulty, which can lead to poor medication adherence and misunderstanding of the dimension of this pathology. Characterizing the patient with atrial fibrillation also allows the nurse to make a specific care plan and allows the development of tools that will assist in the care in a safe and effective way.