Increasing age is an established risk factor for both atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the risk of stroke from AF is over 20% in people aged 80 and over. Elderly patients do bleed more than younger patients even when not on oral anticoagulants (OACs), and physicians tend to be more reluctant to prescribe OACs to their older patients. However, clinical trials have shown that elderly patients with AF derive a greater net clinical benefit from anticoagulation than the younger patients that physicians are more inclined to treat.
Listen to Dr. Veenhuyzen and Dr. Cho discuss the risks and benefits, as well as the safety and efficacy of OACs to prevent stroke in elderly patients with AF. They will also address common concerns when starting OACs in the elderly population, such as concomitant medications, fall risk, adherence, and renal impairment.
This program is made possible through educational support from the BMS/Pfizer Alliance.