What does CAFA mean in CANADIAN

Canadian Atrial Fibrillation Anticoagulation (CAFA) is a treatment guideline for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat. It incorporates the best available evidence to make recommendations on who should receive anticoagulant therapy and which anticoagulant drugs are most appropriate.

Following CAFA guidelines helps to ensure that patients with AFib receive appropriate, up-to-date treatment. This may reduce their risk of stroke, decrease bleeding episodes, and increase quality of life.

According to CAFA guidelines, anticoagulant therapy should be considered for all patients with AFib, unless there are contraindications or reasons not to treat them, such as advanced age or frailty.

The recommended anticoagulants according to CAFA are vitamin K antagonists (such as warfarin), non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs; including rivaroxaban, apixaban and dabigatran), and direct thrombin inhibitors (including hirudin and argatroban).

While aspirin can be used in low doses in some cases of AFib, it is generally not recommended as first-line therapy due to its lower efficacy compared to other drug options.

Patients on warfarin need regular monitoring with blood tests to check their clotting time (INR). Those on NOACs do not require regular tests but should still have periodic testing for other medical conditions and drug interactions.

Side effects may include bleeding episodes, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea/vomiting, bruising easily or unexplained rash. Patients should talk to their doctor if they experience these symptoms while taking anticoagulation medications.

Patients taking an antithrombotic medication prior to a planned surgical procedure likely need to stop the medication before surgery for safety purposes. It is important for them to discuss this with both their primary physician and surgeon prior so they can plan accordingly.