Long-term Anticoagulant Therapy with Warfarin and its Risks and Pitfalls in Old Age
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| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Warfarin is a frequently used anticoagulant therapy (AT) in clinical practice for elderly patients at risk of thromboembolism (venous or arterial) as well as for those with established thromboembolism. Bleeding is the most common complication of long-term warfarin therapy. The risk of bleeding is directly influenced by intensity of anticoagulant therapy, age, renal insufficiency, and latent disease of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Conclusions: Most elderly patients in need of prolonged anticoagulation can be treated safely and effectively with warfarin if treatment includes education, meticulous attention to comorbid illnesses and concomitant drugs, and dose monitoring through a coordinated anticoagulant program. |