January 1, 2017Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine51 citationsOpen Access
Fall risk and anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in the elderly: A delicate balance
Key Result
Up to 50% of older patients with atrial fibrillation do not receive recommended systemic anticoagulation, most commonly due to physician concerns about fall risk and associated bleeding.
PICO
P
Population
Atrial fibrillation
I
Intervention / Comparator
Systemic anticoagulation
Abstract
Guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation recommend systemic anticoagulation for almost all patients age 65 and older, but in practice up to 50% of older patients do not receive maintenance anticoagulation therapy. The most common reason physicians cite for withholding anticoagulation in older patients with atrial fibrillation is a perception of a high risk of falling and associated bleeding, especially intracranial hemorrhage.