Clinical features and outcomes of patients in different age groups with non-valvular atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants

Recent highlights from the International Journal of Cardiology Heart & Vasculature on challenges for adequate stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation

“…The independent contribution of OAC absence to TE is comparably high as that of advancing age, a prior event, chronic kidney disease and left atrial (LA) enlargement, while presence of OAC prescription significantly lowered risk (hazard ratio, HR, 0.70). Even in the very elderly aged ≥85 years, OAC use shows a net antithrombotic benefit over bleeding risk, as reported by O et al [3] , so that OAC should not be withheld in these vulnerable patients. Similar conclusions were reached by Taoutel et al [4] , who retrospectively examined a cohort of AF patients aged ≥80 years prescribed either full-dose or approved reduced-dose DOAC, and confirm effective TE risk reduction with a low rate of cerebral bleeds independent of dose.…”

Clinical significance of gastrointestinal bleeding history in patients who undergo left atrial appendage closure

“…The incidence of atrial fibrillation is increasing with aging of the population 1 . Among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), anticoagulant therapy with agents such as warfarin (WF) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is recommended for the prevention of cardiogenic and cerebral embolisms 2,3 . However, some patients may suffer from hemorrhagic complications due to anticoagulant therapy.…”

“… 1 Among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), anticoagulant therapy with agents such as warfarin (WF) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is recommended for the prevention of cardiogenic and cerebral embolisms. 2 , 3 However, some patients may suffer from hemorrhagic complications due to anticoagulant therapy. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is the most common type of major bleeding in patients receiving oral anticoagulants.…”