Retrospective Comparison of Patients ≥ 80 Years With Atrial Fibrillation Prescribed Either an FDA-Approved Reduced or Full Dose Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulant

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

“…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. Guideline-conform OAC therapy, including on-label reduced DOAC dosing, is not linked with increased silent cerebral infarction, as detailed by Kim et al [5] .…”