Evaluating physicians knowledge of anticoagulant therapy in patients with prosthetic heart valves

The objective of the study was to evaluate the physicians knowledge of anticoagulant therapy in patients with prosthetic heart valves. In order to perform evaluation, the physicians were asked to complete the questionnaire. The study included two groups: the first group consisted of cardiologists of the Outpatient Cardiology Clinic of Kemerovo (n=42); the second group included cardiologists employed in the hospitals and clinics located in other towns and districts of the Kemerovo region (n=50). The groups of cardiologists were similar in terms of age, sex, and the length of employment. The study revealed that both groups of cardiologists had generally low level of knowledge about the management of anticoagulant therapy in patients with prosthetic heart valves. Our results suggest that there is a demand for an appropriate educational program which would allow physicians to undergo training and improve their knowledge.