Perceived Barriers to Oral Anticoagulants Adherence Among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation after Radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Feedback: Atrial fibrillation (AF) stands as the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia globally. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has emerged as a highly effective and guideline-recommended rhythm control strategy for symptomatic AF. For patients with AF after radiofrequency ablation, maintaining oral anticoagulant (OAC) adherence is a critical yet complex challenge precisely because its advantage of preventing stroke. Purpose: This study aimed to assess perceived barriers affecting adherence oral anticoagulants among patients with atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized in carrying out this study. The current study was conducted at the outpatient and Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at Ain-Shams University Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. A sample of 80 patients prescribed treatment regimens was recruited. Results: the majority (88%) of the patients having been diagnosed for over six months with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a significant portion (43%) for more than 20 months, their knowledge is generally inadequate across key domains: understanding of the ablation procedure itself (74% inadequate), healthy lifestyle (65% inadequate), and self-monitoring (62% inadequate). A significant majority (65%) exhibits suboptimal oral anticoagulants adherence, split nearly evenly between medium (26%) and low (39%) levels. Conclusion: One third of the study sample only were adherent with the oral anticoagulant medications. This demonstrates that in this study sample, cognitive recognition is insufficient; adherence is crippled by the tangible burdens and emotional aversions inherent to complex anticoagulant regimens.