Key result
End-of-life anticoagulation management requires individualized shared decision-making to balance bleeding and thrombotic risks.
Why the study?
Anticoagulation management in end-of-life patients requires complex clinical judgments balancing thromboembolism prevention and bleeding risk, with limited clear evidence and guidelines to support decision-making.
Highlights the necessity of shared decision-making and regular reassessment to appropriately deprescribe anticoagulants in end-of-life care to optimize quality of life and avoid burdensome bleeding complications.
Data from hospice and elderly cohorts caution against routine use near death; leaves open validation of EOL-specific decision tools.
Anticoagulation in end-of-life patients requires complex and sensitive clinical judgments. When life expectancy is limited, clinicians must carefully balance the benefits of preventing thromboembolism against the risks of bleeding. Care at the end of life should prioritize quality of life, symptom relief, and the values of patients and their families. Clinicians should engage in thorough communication to clarify goals and limits of care, facilitate shared decision-making to determine the optimal course, and establish practical clinical support and clear evidence to guide anticoagulation management in the terminal phase.
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Ji Yun Lee (2026) conducted a review in End-of-life patients with indications for anticoagulation. Anticoagulation therapy was evaluated. Anticoagulation management in end-of-life care requires individualized shared decision-making to balance thromboembolism prevention with bleeding risks and prioritize patient quality of life.
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