Deaths from cardiovascular disease involving anticoagulants: a systematic synthesis of coroners’ case reports (22 March 2022)

Summary

This study in the British Journal of General Practice aimed to identify cardiovascular disease-related Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs) involving anticoagulants, and to highlight issues raised and responses received.

The authors highlight that nearly two-thirds (60%) of PFDs had not received responses from the organisations they were sent to, including NHS trusts, hospitals and general practices. They call for national organisations, healthcare professionals and prescribers to take actions that address concerns raised by coroners in PFDs, in order to improve the safe use of anticoagulants in treating cardiovascular disease.