Semin Thromb Hemost 2014; 40(06): 688-694
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389083
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Anticoagulation in the Older Adult: Optimizing Benefit and Reducing Risk

Darae Ko
1   Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Elaine M. Hylek
1   Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 September 2014 (online)

Abstract

The risk for both arterial and venous thrombosis increases with age. Despite the increasing burden of strokes related to atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) among older adults, the use of anticoagulant therapy is limited in this population due to the parallel increase in risk of serious hemorrhage. Understanding the risks and their underlying mechanisms would help to mitigate adverse events and improve persistence with these life-saving therapies. The objectives of this review are to: (1) elucidate the age-related physiologic changes that render this high risk subgroup susceptible to hemorrhage, (2) identify mutable risk factors and hazards contributing to an increased bleeding risk in older individuals, and (3) discuss interventions to optimize anticoagulation therapy in this population.

 
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