What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: atrial fibrillation (n=1901). Intervention: Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Primary outcome: Clinical profile and management of patients with AF on oral anticoagulant treatment.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the clinical profile and management of atrial fibrillation patients on anticoagulant therapy in primary care settings in Spain.

February 28, 2026

Oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation in Primary Care in Spain. Rationale, design and baseline data of the RACOVIR study

Key Result

Baseline data from 1901 patients with atrial fibrillation showed 77.5% were taking DOACs and 22.5% VKAs, with VKA users being significantly older (>80 years: 52.6% vs 43.4%; P=0.003).

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the clinical profile and management of atrial fibrillation patients on anticoagulant therapy in primary care settings in Spain.
Descriptive observational study of patients with atrial fibrillation in primary care
Enrolled 1901 patients, with assessments of anticoagulation control and cardiovascular events
Collected baseline sociodemographic and physical examination data
1901 patients enrolled: 428 on vitamin K antagonists and 1473 on direct-acting oral anticoagulants
22.5% taking VKAs were older than 80 years compared to 43.4% of DOAC users (P=0.003)
VKAs were associated with higher obesity rates (BMI 29.33 vs 28.75 kg/m2; P=0.042) and lower diastolic blood pressure (73.89 vs 75.43 mmHg; P=0.009)

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=1,901)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

1,901 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on oral anticoagulant treatment in the Primary Care setting in Spain (45.4% >80 years old, 52.0% men).

Intervention

Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (n=1473)

Comparator

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (n=428)

Outcome

Clinical profile and management of patients with AF on oral anticoagulant treatment

In a Spanish primary care setting, patients with atrial fibrillation treated with VKAs tend to be older, more obese, and more frequently retired compared to those receiving DOACs.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Anticoagulant treatment is key to reducing the risk of developing thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS The RACOVIR study is a descriptive and observational study, whose main objective is to know the clinical profile and management of patients with AF on oral anticoagulant treatment in the clinical practice of Primary Care setting in Spain. Furthermore, the degree of anticoagulation control of patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), the reasons for not changing to direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) when indicated, the frequency of cardiovascular events, as well as the degree of satisfaction with oral anticoagulant treatment will be assessed. In this article, the design and baseline sociodemographic and physical examination data are presented. RESULTS In total, 1901 patients have been enrolled, 428 (22.5%) taking VKAs and 1473 (77.5%) DOACs. Overall, 45.4% of patients were >80 years old, 52.0% were men, 66.3% lived in an urban habitat and 78.9% were retired. At baseline, compared to DOACs, patients taking VKA were older (>80 years: 52.6% vs 43.4%; P=0.003), lived less in an urban habitat (60.5% vs 68.0%; P<0.001), and were more frequently retired (84.5% vs 77.3%; P=0.004). Regarding physical examination parameters, patients taking VKA (vs taking DOACs) were more obese (body mass index 29.33±5.72 vs 28.75±5.03kg/m2; P=0.042) and had a lower diastolic blood pressure (73.89±10.41 vs 75.43±10.76mmHg; P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS The RACOVIR study will offer an updated and very relevant information about patients with AF taking anticoagulant treatment treated in Primary Care in Spain.

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