Antithrombotic treatments for stroke prevention in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Drugs and doses

Publication date: Available online 14 June 2016 Source:Canadian Journal of Cardiology Author(s): Mustafa Kilickap, Jackie Bosch, John W. Eikelboom, Robert G. Hart Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm disturbance and is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of stroke. The most important risk factors for stroke in patients with AF are prior stroke and age ≥75 years. Canadian guidelines recommend anticoagulant therapy for AF patients over the age of 65 but the elderly often remain undertreated, primarily because of concerns regarding bleeding. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants appear to be safer, at least as efficacious, and more convenient than warfarin, and are a cost-effective alternative for elderly AF patients. Here, we review the evidence for the use of antithrombotic agents for stroke prevention in elderly patients (age ≥75 years) with non-valvular AF.
Source: Canadian Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research