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Haematology

A progressive approach to managing atrial fibrillation

Early action is essential to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with newly identified atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the... View Article

April 2024

Oral anticoagulant selection in primary care

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban are now established as the “go to” choice in primary care... View Article

November 2023

Liver function tests in primary care

Liver function tests (LFTs) are among the most commonly requested laboratory investigations in primary care. However, as with... View Article

November 2022

A spotlight on the key causes of chronic liver disease

The liver plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis and has a high degree of functional interconnectedness with other... View Article

November 2022

Biosimilars: the future of prescribing biological medicines

Biological medicines are an important advancement in the pharmaceutical treatment of patients with inflammatory and immunological... View Article

January 2020

Guidelines for testing, perioperative and bleeding management for dabigatran and rivaroxaban

These guidelines have been produced by PHARMAC in conjunction with bpacnz, with the assistance of practising specialists. They... View Article

July 2018

Rivaroxaban: a fully-subsidised oral anticoagulant

From 1 August, 2018, rivaroxaban will be fully subsidised without restriction for people who require an oral anticoagulant. This... View Article

July 2018

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose: now available for the treatment of iron deficiency

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is now a potential option for treating patients with iron deficiency anaemia in the community.... View Article

November 2017

The safe and effective use of dabigatran and warfarin in primary care

Patients taking oral anticoagulants require appropriate management in order to receive the maximum benefit from treatment with... View Article

August 2017

An update on managing patients with atrial fibrillation

Most patients with atrial fibrillation can be managed in primary care. Patients should be referred for an initial assessment with... View Article

August 2017

Upfront: Are blood eosinophil counts helpful in predicting patient responses to inhaled corticosteroids in COPD?

The risks and benefits of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are different for individual patients with COPD. There... View Article

March 2016

Identifying and managing hereditary haemochromatosis in adults

Hereditary haemochromatosis is the most common genetic disease in European populations. It is an autosomal recessive disorder... View Article

April 2015

Dabigatran - An Update

This report provides an update on the use and monitoring of dabigatran between October, 2013 and September, 2014 in general practice... View Article

March 2015

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule and Test Guidelines: haematology tests

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule has been created to provide consistent guidance and ensure uniform availability of tests across... View Article

August 2014

Investigating iron deficiency anaemia

2013 UPDATE: Investigating iron deficiency anaemia View Article

December 2013

Anaemia on full blood count: investigating beyond the pale

A finding of anaemia on a full blood count is only the first step of a series of investigations for most patients. The mean red... View Article

September 2013

Ticagrelor – out with the old, in with the new?

Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a new oral antiplatelet medicine, which has been available, fully subsidised, with Special Authority,... View Article

August 2013

Dabigatran in general practice

Dabigatran is an oral anticoagulant approved for use in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and prevention of venous thromboembolism... View Article

March 2013

Dabigatran revisited

Dabigatran has been available for general practitioners to prescribe since July, 2011. Dabigatran is indicated for prevention... View Article

February 2013

Sick and tired of being tired and sick: laboratory investigation of glandular fever

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) is a common, potentially debilitating illness that is most frequently seen in adolescents... View Article

October 2012

The use of antithrombotic medicines in general practice: a consensus statement

In July 2011, a consensus forum was held in Wellington to discuss the use of antithrombotic medicines in general practice. This... View Article

October 2011

Management of atrial fibrillation in general practice

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often an incidental finding during a routine medical assessment. The diagnosis of AF can be confirmed... View Article

October 2011

The use of dabigatran in general practice

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is now available in New Zealand, fully funded, without Special Authority, as an alternative oral anticoagulant... View Article

September 2011

A primary care approach to sodium and potassium imbalance

Interpreting and managing a laboratory result of abnormal sodium or potassium levels is a common scenario in general practice.... View Article

September 2011

News in brief: Dabigatran; Antibiotics and COC; Prescription kitchen

Dabigatran to be listed | Most broad spectrum antibiotics do not affect the combined oral contraceptive | Prescription kitchen View Article

June 2011

The role of thrombophilia testing in general practice

Testing for thrombophilia is rarely indicated in general practice and should only be performed when the results will alter m... View Article

March 2011

Use of INR for monitoring warfarin treatment

Regular measurement of INR levels is an essential component in the management of patients receiving warfarin treatment. Many factors... View Article

November 2010

Upfront: INR point of care testing in community pharmacies

The international normalised ratio (INR) is used to monitor patients receiving warfarin for treatment or prevention of thrombosis... View Article

October 2010

The warfarin dilemma

Evidence suggests that warfarin is under utilised in older people. The dilemma is that in older people with atrial fibrillation,... View Article

October 2010

Access to clopidogrel now widened

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article

October 2010

Care of stroke survivors

The aim of stroke rehabilitation is for the patient to regain the best level of health, activity and participation possible within... View Article

April 2010

Secondary stroke prevention

People who have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack are at increased risk of future stroke, especially in the first few... View Article

March 2010

Investigating the Gut: Pernicious anaemia

There are a number of causes of low vitamin B12 levels with pernicious anaemia being among the most important to identify. Parietal... View Article

March 2010

Time is brain: emergency treatment of stroke

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in New Zealand, with approximately 22 strokes occurring each day. Stroke should... View Article

March 2010

Snippets: Aspirin for CVD & Paracetamol post-vaccination

Should aspirin still be used for primary prevention of cardiovascular desease? Reconsider paracetamol use post-vaccination View Article

December 2009

Low molecular weight heparin use in primary care

Enoxaparin (Clexane) is a low molecular weight heparin used in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and in the treatment... View Article

November 2009

Hepatitis

A guide focusing on some of the situations GPs face in day-to-day practice with practical advice for initial testing. View Article

July 2009

Hepatitis report

Report on testing for Hepatitis A and B. View Article

July 2009

The role of antiplatelet agents

Antiplatelet drugs including aspirin, clopidogrel and dipyrimadole, reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by about 20-25%... View Article

February 2009

Warfarin vs. aspirin for the prevention of atrial fibrillation related stroke

The decision whether to choose aspirin or warfarin for stroke prevention is often not clear cut. There is evidence that treatment... View Article

February 2009

Complete Blood Count in Primary Care

Provides an overview of the use of the complete blood count in primary care and advice on appropriate follow-up for abnormal... View Article

May 2008

Dear Dave

Is there an association between the use of the combined oral contraceptive and Vitamin B12 deficiency View Article

April 2007

Interactions with Warfarin

Warfarin has the potential to interact with numerous drugs resulting in significant morbidity and potentially fatal bleeds. Loss... View Article

April 2007

Dear Dave

SSRIs can increase the risk of bleeding disorders, especially if taken with an NSAID. View Article

December 2006

Warfarin

An update on treatment of atrial fibrillation with a focus on warfarin. View Article

December 2006