Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
ISSN: 2155-9880
Momar Dioum*, P. Badiane, P.H. Diagne, I.I.M. Hanifa, Aw. Kane, C. Gaye, F. Aw and M. Diao
Introduction: Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) are an anticoagulant treatment widely prescribed in cardiology. However, their therapeutic margin is narrow with hemorrhagic risk (overdose) or thrombotic risk (under dosage). The objective of this work was to assess the level of knowledge of pharmacists on the management of patients on VKAs.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted during the period from January 7th to November 25th, 2020 concerning pharmacists practicing in Dakar who agreed to participate in the study. Data on molecules, indications, contraindications, surveillance and iatrogenia were collected in an Excel® file.
Results: One hundred and three pharmacists were included, including 26 biologists and 77 pharmacy pharmacists. The sex ratio (M/F) was 2.02 and the average age was 36.5 years. The most cited VKAs was acenocoumarol (45.3%). Venous thromboembolic disease (34.7%) and emboligenous heart disease (25.3%) were the most listed indications. The major contraindication reported was hemorrhage (31.7%). The most recovered VKAs intake time (38%) was in the evening. More than half (66%) of pharmacists recommended taking International Normalized Ratio (INR) in the morning. Our investigation identified hemorrhages as a major sign of overdose to VKAs (86.9%). For signs of underdosing, we noted thrombotic complications (46.2%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (31.5%) and aspirin (26%) were the most cited contraindicated common molecules.
Conclusion: Our work reveals an average knowledge level of pharmacists on VKAs treatment. The integration of pharmacists in therapeutic education and monitoring has become necessary to ensure the safety of VKAs treatment.
Published Date: 2023-11-27; Received Date: 2023-10-28