Knowledge and anticoagulant adherence to vitamin k antagonists in patients with mechanical heart valves under outpatient follow-up at hanoi heart hospital in 2023

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe the knowledge and treatment adherence to vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants among patients with mechanical heart valves under outpatient follow-up at Hanoi Heart Hospital in 2023.

Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 270 patients aged 18 years and older who had undergone mechanical heart valve replacement and were being followed up as outpatients. Knowledge was assessed using the Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT), and treatment adherence was evaluated using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Comprehensive adherence was defined based on three criteria: correct medication use, dietary compliance, and alcohol limitation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.

Results:The average knowledge score was 20.2 ± 2.9; 94.4% of patients had good knowledge. The overall treatment adherence rate was 87%. Specifically, 57% demonstrated high medication adherence, 87% adhered to dietary recommendations, and 87% limited alcohol intake. The rate of subcutaneous bleeding complications was 56.3%, and only 35.2% of patients had INR values within the therapeutic range.

Conclusion:Patients with mechanical heart valves at Hanoi Heart Hospital had good knowledge and high adherence to vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant therapy. These findings reflect the initial effectiveness of counseling and follow-up activities at the hospital. However, further efforts are needed to enhance patient education and provide supportive materials to reinforce knowledge and sustain long-term treatment adherence.