Boehringer Ingelheim study recommends stroke prevention for AF patients

Boehringer Ingelheim has published data from a new European survey showing the importance of preventing ischaemic stroke among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.

The pharmaceutical company commissioned a poll of 1,000 cardiologists in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland, revealing that more than two-thirds named ischaemic stroke prevention as the most important treatment goal for AF sufferers.

Moreover, 84 percent of physicians said there is a vital need for greater awareness of the impact of these strokes for patients with AF, while 56 percent said the prevention of such incidents is the single most important factor affecting their prescribing decisions.

It is estimated that up to three million patients with AF suffer a stroke each year, with 92 percent of these being ischaemic strokes.

Professor Hans-Christoph Diener, professor of neurology and chairman of the department of neurology at the University of Essen, said: "It is our responsibility as treating physicians to identify the patients in need for stroke prevention through screening, diagnosis and risk assessment and then protect them as best as we can."

Earlier this month, the company allied with Lilly to launch a new digital game called Complications Combat, aimed at raising awareness of type 2 diabetes.