For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Simple procedure during heart surgery reduces stroke risk for atrial fibrillation patients
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Simple procedure during heart surgery reduces stroke risk for atrial fibrillation patients
Thursday 3 June 2021, 04:02 PM

A trial found that in atrial fibrillation patients having cardiac surgery for other reasons, adding a procedure to block off the heart’s left atrial appendage reduced the risk of stroke. [Image: Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash]
“It’s a game-changer for patients who have a history of atrial fibrillation who need open heart surgery”
The risk of stroke can be reduced by ab
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
Whitlock R, Belley-Cote E, Paparella D, and others. Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion during Cardiac Surgery to Prevent Stroke. N Engl J Med 2021; 384:2081-2091