Racial disparities and trends in anticoagulant use among ambulatory care patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in the United States from 2007 to 2019
Cross-sectional analysis reveals significant racial disparities in DOAC usage among AF patients, indicating urgent need for equitable access.
Key Points
DOAC use increased significantly over time, but racial disparities remain evident with non-Hispanic Black patients showing slower adoption.
From 2011 to 2019, apixaban became the predominant anticoagulant, with a prevalence ratio of 0.75 for non-Hispanic Black patients compared to White.
Analysis utilized data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey across 3,224 visits related to AF or AFL from 2007 to 2019.
Findings highlight persistent disparities in anticoagulant use, revealing Medicaid patients are also less likely to receive DOACs versus those with private insurance.